tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063991969320456402016-12-04T09:17:45.193-05:00Dixie YidThis blog contains Torah, inspiration, and interesting, thought-provoking, or funny content. Inclusion does not necessarily imply limited or general endorsement/agreement.DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.comBlogger1772125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-65521107068275716442016-11-24T09:12:00.001-05:002016-11-24T09:12:37.007-05:00To Veto Reality (UN/UNESCO) - Rav Moshe Weinberger's Drasha from Parshas Bereishis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Baruch Hashem, Rav Weinberger has approved this version of my write-up of his&nbsp;<i>drasha</i>&nbsp;from <i>parshas Bereishis</i><em style="text-align: justify;">.</em><span style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</span><span style="text-align: justify;">See&nbsp;here&nbsp;for past <i>shiurim</i> at&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/" style="text-align: justify;">YUTorah.org's website</a><span style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;by Rav Weinberger&nbsp;both as Mashpia at YU and from the past 20 years. You can also&nbsp;click on one of the following links to subscribe to the shiurim:&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/subscribeTeacher/index.cfm?teacherID=80208&amp;KeepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true&amp;height=135&amp;width=350" style="text-align: justify;">email</a><span style="text-align: justify;">,&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/rss/rssfeed.cfm?teacherID=80208&amp;teacherInfo=Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger&amp;KeepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true&amp;height=100&amp;width=230" style="text-align: justify;">rss feed</a><span style="text-align: justify;">,&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/rss/podcast.cfm?teacherID=80208&amp;teacherInfo=Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger&amp;KeepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true&amp;height=120&amp;width=220" style="text-align: justify;">podcast</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, or&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/rss/itune.cfm?teacherID=80208&amp;teacherInfo=Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger&amp;KeepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true&amp;height=120&amp;width=220" style="text-align: justify;">iTunes</a><span style="text-align: justify;">. Please note that these drashos will only be available online for one month. If you notice any mistakes, please let me know so I can correct it. If you are interested in a particular drasha that is no longer online, you can email me (right sidebar) and I'll send it to you IY"H, BL"N.</span><br /><br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Rav Moshe Weinberger<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Parshas Bereishis 5777<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">To Veto Reality<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">After all of the <i>Yomim Tovim</i>, we are once again able to focus on current events, namely <i>parshas Bereishis</i>. A couple of weeks ago, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) voted to deny the Jewish people’s connection to <i>Har HaBayis</i> – the Temple Mount. Let us therefore study a teaching of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, <i>zy’a</i>(5 <i>Likutei Sichos </i>p. 4), a <i>tzadik</i> who never set foot in <i>Eretz Yisroel</i> but knew every stream of water and every street corner of the land. He held the deepest, most abiding love for the land of Israel.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">As he does so many times, the Rebbe begins his teaching with the first <i>Rashi</i> in <i>Bereishis</i> (1:1): <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">Why did He begin the Torah with “In the beginning?” It was because of [the <i>passuk</i>] “The strength of His works He related to His people, to give them the inheritance of the nations” (<i>Tehillim</i>111:6). If the nations of the world say to the Jewish people, “You are thieves because you conquered the lands of the seven nations [of <i>Kena’an</i>],” they will reply, “The entire earth belongs to the Hashem; He created it and gave it to whomever He deemed proper. When He wished, He gave it to them, and when He wished, He took it away from them and gave it to us.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Lubavitcher Rebbe points out three difficult questions on this Midrash quoted by <i>Rashi</i>. First, why would the “nations of the world” make this accusation of the Jewish people? Ostensibly, the only people affected by our conquest of the seven nations were the seven nations themselves. Why would the other nations of the world care to get involved in something that never affected them and has nothing to do with them?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Second, the military conquest of land is and has always been a recognized form of national land acquisition. Every nation does this and has done this from time immemorial. Even <i>halachah</i>recognizes this as a form of acquisition (<i>Shulchan Aruch HaRav</i>,<i>Choshen Mishpat</i>,<i> Hilchos Hefker v’hasagas g’vul </i>63): “A king who conquered some country in war acquires it.” So why would the nations of the world suddenly call us “thieves” for conquering a territory militarily?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally, <i>Rashi</i> teaches us (on <i>Bereishis</i>12:6) that the <i>Kena’anim</i> were not even the original inhabitants of <i>Eretz Yisroel</i>. They conquered the land from the descendants of Shem, from whom the Jewish people are descended! Hashem’s promise to give <i>Eretz Yisroel</i>to the Jewish people was actually an assurance that He would restore the land to its original possessors. Given the fact that when the Jewish people conquered <i>Eretz Yisroel</i>, they were actually reclaiming that which was already theirs, it is even harder to understand how the <i>Midrash</i> could say that the nations would call us “thieves” for taking back land that already belonged to us.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Rebbe therefore explains that normally, military conquest is only recognized as a form of acquisition as long as the conquering country continues to control the land. As soon as it loses the land to some other conquering power, it no longer has any right to the land. Conquest only gives a nation the right to occupy a land. It does not create any lasting, inherent change in the land’s status or nature. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It is in precisely this respect that the Jewish people’s conquest of <i>Eretz Yisroe</i>l differs from all other conquests in history with respect to every other territory in the world. From the moment Yehoshua led our people into the land of Israel, it underwent an existential change in its nature. We did not merely acquire the temporary right to live in <i>Eretz Yisroel</i> as long as we were militarily strong enough to hold onto the land. Forevermore, it could never be considered <i>Kena’an</i>, Palestine, Jordan, or the Ottoman Empire. It would always be, to its very core, only <i>Eretz Yisroel</i>. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Therefore, when we conquered <i>Kena’an</i>, and it transformed eternally into <i>Eretz Yisroel</i>, the land became the one place on earth no other nation could ever truly possess. Why would all of the nations of the earth care if the Jewish people dispossessed a couple of little nations on one small strip of land? How does it affect them? The reality is that even if they do not consciously recognize it, deep within themselves they know that they all lost their potential right to the land when we conquered <i>Eretz Yisroel</i>. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Why do Switzerland, Belgium, Venezuela, Egypt, and Jordan care to call us “thieves?” Because deep inside, they know that they lost out on even the potential to ever have any right or privilege over the land. They hate us because it no longer mattered whether some other nation ever became strong enough to dispossess us of the land. Our birthright prevented them from ever truly possessing the land. That is why <i>Eretz Yisroel</i>never gave itself over to any nation which occupied it after most Jewish people were exiled from the land, whether the Romans, Turks, the British, or the Jordanians. It was always barren for them. But as soon as Hashem’s children, the Jewish people, returned to the land, it bore fruit and blossomed once again. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">UNESCO’s vote is simply the latest manifestation of this deepest truth. Just last year, the UN adopted 20 resolutions singling out Israel for criticism and only three against the rest of the world combined. The rest of the world is a slaughterhouse, with hundreds of thousands of people being butchered by totalitarian and Islamist regimes, yet the United Nations remains virtually silent. But it is simultaneously apoplectic in its complete intolerance for the existence of the Jewish people in its G-d-given home, <i>Eretz Yisroel</i>. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">What motivates this? The Jewish people are simply returning to their home from the time of Shem and Yehoshua. It is clearly something much deeper than international law, which the nationsy conveniently rewrite to facilitate their desire to justify their Anti-Semitism, to scream out, “You are thieves because you conquered the lands of the seven nations!” Indeed the word “Semite” originates from the name, “Shem,” our ancestor and the original occupant of Eretz Yisroel. The nations know deep down that because Hashem gave <i>Eretz Yisroel</i> to the Jewish people as our eternal home, that it is the only place in the world where they can never stake any true claim.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">It is because this is their question that we answer them with confidence, “The entire earth belongs to the Hashem; He created it and gave it to whomever He deemed proper.” But why does the Midrash say that we answer them, “The <i>entire</i> earth belongs to the Hashem...” Because the focus is on <i>Eretz Yisroel</i>, why do we explain to them that the entire earth belongs to Hashem? Why not focus on the fact that <i>Eretz Yisroel</i> belongs to Hashem? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Perhaps it is not referring to the quantity of land belonging to Hashem, but on the depth and quality of Hashem’s ownership of the land. Hashem’s control over every territory of land in the world is not limited to the who occupies any given piece of land at a certain time, which might imply that He does not exert control over the essential, deepest nature of any part of the earth. Rather, we are telling the nations that the entirety of any piece of land, qualitatively, belongs to Hashem, all the way down to its very essence. That is why Hashem can, when He chooses to do so, transfer not just possession, but even the essential nature, of a piece of land to the nation of His choosing. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Even if the world does not care to listen to or hear the truth, we must know the truth so that we can hold our heads up high and see our G-d-given connection to <i>Eretz Yisroel</i>. Soon, with the coming of Moshiach, the entire world will be forced to recognize Hashem’s reign with the entire people of Israel fulfilling the Torah of Israel in the land of Israel, may it happen soon in our days.<o:p></o:p></div><br /><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-38827526198889453872016-11-24T09:08:00.000-05:002016-11-24T09:08:03.293-05:00It Really Works! - Rav Weinberger's Drasha after the Yomim Noraim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Baruch Hashem, Rav Weinberger has approved this version of this write-up of his&nbsp;<i>drasha</i>&nbsp;from the way back on parshas Haazinu<em style="text-align: justify;">. </em><span style="text-align: justify;">Big thank you to Reb Dovid Frei who wrote up this <i>drasha</i>!</span><span style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</span><span style="text-align: justify;">See&nbsp;here&nbsp;for past shiurim at&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/" style="text-align: justify;">YUTorah.org's website</a><span style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;by Rav Weinberger&nbsp;both as Mashpia at YU and from the past 20 years. You can also&nbsp;click on one of the following links to subscribe to the shiurim:&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/subscribeTeacher/index.cfm?teacherID=80208&amp;KeepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true&amp;height=135&amp;width=350" style="text-align: justify;">email</a><span style="text-align: justify;">,&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/rss/rssfeed.cfm?teacherID=80208&amp;teacherInfo=Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger&amp;KeepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true&amp;height=100&amp;width=230" style="text-align: justify;">rss feed</a><span style="text-align: justify;">,&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/rss/podcast.cfm?teacherID=80208&amp;teacherInfo=Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger&amp;KeepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true&amp;height=120&amp;width=220" style="text-align: justify;">podcast</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, or&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/rss/itune.cfm?teacherID=80208&amp;teacherInfo=Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger&amp;KeepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true&amp;height=120&amp;width=220" style="text-align: justify;">iTunes</a><span style="text-align: justify;">. Please note that these drashos will only be available online for one month. If you notice any mistakes, please let me know so I can correct it. If you are interested in a particular drasha that is no longer online, you can email me (right sidebar) and I'll send it to you IY"H, BL"N.</span><br /><br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Rav Moshe Weinberger<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Parshas Haazinu 5777<o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">It Really Works!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The <i>tzadikim</i> say that the period between Yom Kippur and Sukkos is a very special time quite apart from the fact that the Jewish people are busily immersed in the building of Sukkos and the acquisition of the four species.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Tosher Rebbe, <i>zy’a</i>, explains that every day, each Jew enacts the lesson of the opening <i>passuk</i> of our <i>parshah</i>, “Listen o Heavens and I will speak, and the earth will hear the words of my mouth.” A Yid wakes up and immerses himself in davening, reflection, and learning, asking Hashem in Heaven to hear his entreaties. Only after he has sincerely prayed to Hashem is he then in a position to go out in to the world (“the earth”) and embark on his daily working life, always mindful that his actions are governed by “the words of My mouth,” the instructions of Hashem.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Similarly, the intensive period of <i>Elul</i>, Rosh Hashanah, the ten days of <i>teshuvah</i>, and Yom Kippur is one long continuous <i>tefillah</i>, when we are continuously involved in “Listen o Heavens and I will speak,” trying to minimize our contact with the outside world while embracing matters pertaining to the Heavens and fulfilling “and I will speak” with the numerous <i>selichos</i> and Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur<i>tefillos</i>.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">After Yom Kippur, we have reached the position of “after <i>davening</i>.” Rav Naftali Tzvi Horowitz, the Zerah Kodesh of Ropschitz, <i>zy’a</i>, would say that during the period between Yom Kippur and Sukkos, he could hear the tumultuous sound of Jewish prayers soaring Heavenward. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Tosher Rebbe explains that after Yom Kippur, we enter into the period of “and the earth will hear the words of my mouth.” We return to the everyday world, interacting with our peers and families, but on an elevated plane so that our actions and speech are infused by a spirit of “the words of My mouth.” &nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">We are now fortified by our involvement with the Heavens in the Elul/Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur period to go confidently forward to rejoicing with our family and friends over Sukkos in a spirit that “the words of my mouth” will govern our behavior and interactions.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Tosher Rebbe says that in these days following Yom Kippur, it is important to have faith that out <i>tefillos</i> have been accepted and that Hashem has acknowledged the sincerity of our <i>teshuvah</i>.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">He cites a comment of the Bas Ayin on the <i>passuk</i> in <i>Beshalach</i>which speaks of how the Jewish people were hemmed in at the Red Sea, surrounded by wild animals to the sides, the Egyptians behind them, and the sea in front of them. When Moshe cried out to Hashem, He responded by asking (<i>Shmos</i>14:15), “Why are you <i>davening</i> to Me”? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">All the commentaries ask the obvious question: Why was Hashem asking why Moshe was davening? What was he supposed to do at a time of crisis? Are we not all taught to beseech Hashem when in danger?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Bas Ayin quotes a teaching of the Arizal that the opening letters of the words “Why are you davening to Me? – &nbsp;<span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מה תצעק אלי</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>” form the word <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אמת</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> – truth. HaShem was telling Moshe that because his prayers had been expressed with a truthful and sincere heart, he should have the faith and trust that those <i>tefillos</i>have been accepted and no further <i>tefillah</i> was required.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This is the meaning of <i>Rashi</i>’s comment, “The matter is dependent on Me and not you,” i.e., that he had completed his task with the sincerity of his <i>tefillos</i>, and that now he should rely upon Me to answer them. Moshe was therefore commanded, “Speak to Yisroel and they should move forward.” They should proceed confidently into the sea, trusting that their <i>tefillos</i>had been accepted.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">This is the position in which we find ourselves after Yom Kippur, needing to truly believe that our <i>tefillos</i> have been accepted. There is a tendency to doubt whether our efforts over the <i>Yomim Noraim</i> have borne fruit.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Alter Rebbe, <i>zy’a</i>, commenting on the <i>passuk</i>(<i>Tehillim</i> 35:4), “For with You is forgiveness in order that You may be feared,” suggests that Hashem hides the fact that He has forgiven the Jewish people. In other words, He is aware of our forgiveness but we are not aware of it. This is in order that we not become complacent in our <i>teshuvah</i>. The forgiveness is hidden with you.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Nevertheless, Hashem does want us to believe that our <i>tefillos</i>and <i>teshuvah</i> have been accepted and this is our task in the approach to <i>Sukkos</i>– to understand that we are at the stage “and the earth will hear the words of My mouth.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">We are at the point of “Speak to Yisroel and they should move forward.” Significantly, the notion of moving forward is mentioned in the Torah more than once in connection with Sukkos. In <i>Bereishis</i> (34:17), we read that, “And Yaakov travelled to Sukkos,” and in <i>Shmos</i> (12:37) we read “And the children of Israel moved forward from Rameses to Sukkos.” Sukkos is the time to move forward to everyday living when we can fill the world with “the words of My mouth.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Rav Yisroel of Ruzhin, zy’a, used to comment, in a somewhat tongue-in-cheek fashion regarding that which we begin <i>davening</i> on Shmini Atzeres, following the <i>Yomim Noraim</i> season, “May He return the wind and cause the rain to descend.” Because the word for wind (<span dir="RTL" lang="HE">רוח</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>) also means spirituality and the word for rain (<span dir="RTL" lang="HE">גשם</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>) also means materialism, he explained that after such a long period of davening and spirituality, we are asking Hashem to return the spirituality to where it came from and cause the materialism to descend. While he made his point in a humorous way, his lesson, that we should recognize that after Yom Kippur it is time to bring that spirituality back down to earthly life, is equally true. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">May we all merit to bring the spirituality and success of our davening during this season into our material lives!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-31881933760834996322016-10-31T11:28:00.001-04:002016-10-31T11:28:31.812-04:00Rav Moshe Weinberger's Sukkos Drasha - Dig Deeper<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Baruch Hashem, Rav Weinberger has approved this version of my write-up of his&nbsp;<i>drasha</i>&nbsp;from the first days of Sukkos<em style="text-align: justify;">.</em><span style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</span><span style="text-align: justify;">See&nbsp;here&nbsp;for past shiurim at&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/" style="text-align: justify;">YUTorah.org's website</a><span style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;by Rav Weinberger&nbsp;both as Mashpia at YU and from the past 20 years. You can also&nbsp;click on one of the following links to subscribe to the shiurim:&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/subscribeTeacher/index.cfm?teacherID=80208&amp;KeepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true&amp;height=135&amp;width=350" style="text-align: justify;">email</a><span style="text-align: justify;">,&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/rss/rssfeed.cfm?teacherID=80208&amp;teacherInfo=Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger&amp;KeepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true&amp;height=100&amp;width=230" style="text-align: justify;">rss feed</a><span style="text-align: justify;">,&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/rss/podcast.cfm?teacherID=80208&amp;teacherInfo=Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger&amp;KeepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true&amp;height=120&amp;width=220" style="text-align: justify;">podcast</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, or&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/rss/itune.cfm?teacherID=80208&amp;teacherInfo=Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger&amp;KeepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true&amp;height=120&amp;width=220" style="text-align: justify;">iTunes</a><span style="text-align: justify;">. Please note that these drashos will only be available online for one month. If you notice any mistakes, please let me know so I can correct it. If you are interested in a particular drasha that is no longer online, you can email me (right sidebar) and I'll send it to you IY"H, BL"N.</span><br /><br /><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rav Moshe Weinberger<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sukkos 5777<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dig Deeper<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Let us study a little <i>chassidus</i> together. The Yomim Tovim are the source for everything good in our lives. Pesach, for example, is “the holiday of our liberation.” Any redemption experienced by the Jewish people in general, or an individual Jew in particular, throughout history, comes from the holiness of Pesach. And Shavuos, the “the holiday of the giving of our Torah,” is the source for any ability we have to learn or observe the Torah throughout all of history. And Sukkos is “the holiday of our joy.” In what way is Sukkos the source and root of all Jew a Jew ever experiences?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We can understand this on a superficial level and on a deeper level. On a superficial level, Sukkos is also called “the holiday of the ingathering.” This means that in an agricultural society, the crops are harvested at the beginning of the summer and are then gathered into the granaries and storehouses around the time of Sukkos. Because our cupboards are full and we have everything we need, it is naturally a time of joy, gratitude, and expansiveness. On a surface level, this is why we feel joy at Sukkos time. But is this a source for <i>all</i>joy? There are a number of problems with such a suggestion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">First, there is nothing unique to the Jewish people in rejoicing in the ingathering of the crops. This is something every human being can appreciate. This is in contrast with Shavuos, which is called “the holiday of the giving of our Torah” and Pesach which is “the holiday of <i>our</i> liberation.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Second, we know from <i>Chazal</i> (<i>Avos</i> 5:16) that “A love which is dependent on something, when the thing is nullified, the love is nullified.” If our joy is dependent on having overflowing storehouses, that joy is by definition transient and ephemeral. There are people who believe they can only be happy if some series of external circumstance align precisely the way they want them. People tell me, “Ah, back in <i>yeshivah</i> in Israel I was happy.” Or, “When I was single and could go where I want whenever I pleased, I was really happy then.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Other people live for their children throughout their lives. But when the last child moves out of the house, what do they have to live for? What gives them joy? Some people are fortunate to be married to a spouse with whom they are happy. But many others are not so fortunate. But even if they are among the lucky ones, what happens when that person leaves the world? Any happiness based on another person or some external circumstance will ultimately become nullified. The joy of Sukkos therefore cannot be based on some external circumstance.&nbsp; Such a superficial and fleeting joy cannot be the source for all joy, nationally and individually, throughout time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What is the joy of Sukkos? Anyone who has studied <i>Mishnayos Sukkah</i> (5:1) knows where the joy of Sukkos comes from: “Anyone who has not seen the joy of the water drawing ceremony [the <i>Simchas Beis Hashoeva</i> in the <i>Beis Hamikdash</i>] has not seen joy in his days.” The <i>Mishnah</i> continues that “there was no courtyard in Yerushalayim which was not illuminated with the light of the water drawing ceremony.” What was the nature of this joyous occasion? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yerushalayim normally drew its water from an elaborate system of aqueducts and mechanisms that were truly a wonder of engineering. But this system was not used to procure the water to be used for the water libations on the altar on Sukkos. This water was drawn from the <i>Shiloach</i> spring. And as anyone who has been there knows, this spring was not flowing with torrents of water. Rather, the water dripped in, solitary drop by solitary drop. &nbsp;The kohanim had to fight for every single drop that slowly rose up from the depths of the earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">At the beginning of creation Hashem separated the upper waters from the lower waters. And ever since then (<i>Tikkunei Zohar</i>, 5:19b), the lower waters have been crying and saying, “We want to be before the King!” On Sukkos, we, who relate so deeply to the lower waters, dig deeply into every crack and crevice to draw out every drop of water from the <i>Shiloach</i> spring to bring it up to the King, up to the alter and connect them to their source. When the kohanim took the water up each of the fifteen steps (<span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מעלות</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>) of the <i>Beis HaMikdash</i>, they said one of the chapters of Tehillim that began “A Song of Ascents (<span dir="RTL" lang="HE">המעלות</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>).” Each little step was such an accomplishment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now we can understand the nature of the joy of Sukkos, which is the nature of a Jew’s ability to be happy throughout history. Happiness is not dependent on anyone, anything, any place, or any circumstance outside of one’s self. Rather, joy and happiness come from one’s personal decision to work hard to eke out Divine success and elevation, drop by drop, from the earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The <i>Gemara</i>(<i>Yerushalmi Sukkah</i> 50b) says that the prophet Yonah, whose book we just read Yom Kippur afternoon, first drew down the spirit of prophecy from the <i>Simchas Beis HaShoeva</i>: “Yonah ben Amitai was among those who made the pilgrimage to Yerushalayim, he entered into the <i>Simchas Beis HaShoeva</i>, and the spirit of prophecy rested upon him.”&nbsp; And even though Yonah gave up on himself and descended into the boat to go to sleep and die in the storm (1:5), when he was swallowed by the giant fish, he <i>davened</i>(2:3-5, 7):<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I called out in my distress to Hashem and he answered me, from the belly of the grave I cried out, You heard my voice. You threw me into the depths of the heart of the sea, a river surrounded me, all Your breakers and Your waves passed over me and I said, “I have been expelled from before Your eyes. Yet I will again gaze upon Your holy sanctuary!” But you brought up my life from <i>Gehinnom</i>, Hashem my G-d!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">When Yonah had lost everything and was sitting in a place no one would ever hope to emerge from or live, he had absolutely no external reason to rejoice or be happy. Yet precisely because he stopped hoping for salvation in any circumstance outside of his connection and relationship to G-d and His will, he finally began to hope and pray again. He once again drew the spirit of joy and prophecy when he turned to G-d’s will for him and not to his own will for himself. &nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This is beautifully illustrated in a mysterious story once told by the Freidiker Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, <i>zy’a</i>, at a <i>farbrengin</i>. In those days, some people made their living as an “organ grinder.” This was an individual who walked around town with a type of music box on wheels. He would set up his music machine at a street corner and start playing. He would have a young boy with him, usually an orphan who he took care of in exchange for work, who would walk around the people who gathered to listen to the music, bang on a drum and call out “More joy! More joy! More joy!” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Rebbe related that it once happened that after a certain organ grinder began playing, the boy who worked for him did not start walking around and calling on everyone there to enjoy the music. The boy had simply gotten distracted and began daydreaming or playing by himself. He simply did not hear the organ grinder’s music. The man tried repeatedly to get the boy’s attention, but to no avail. Finally, after completely losing his patience, he walked over to the boy, in front of everyone prsent, and smacked him on the side of the head.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Immediately, the boy “woke up” to a feeling of physical pain and complete humiliation in front of everyone present. Without hesitation, he began banging on the drum with a huge smile, calling out, “More joy! More joy! More joy!” At that point, the Rebbe ended the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">After the <i>farbrengin</i>, the <i>chassidim</i> began discussing the story. In Chabad, stories are not told for no reason. Everyone was trying to discern what the Rebbe had been trying to teach. One group of <i>chassidim</i> believed that the boy was completely heartbroken and humiliated, but that he called out “More joy!” out of a sense of obligation, because he had no choice. He felt no joy inside. The other group of <i>chassidim</i> maintained that despite the slap he had just received, the boy knew and felt, with every fiber of his being, that his entire existence was dependent on this man, and the man needed him to feel joy at that moment, so he felt sincere joy. The <i>chassidim</i> asked the Rebbe’s son-in-law, the future and last Lubavitcher Rebbe, <i>zy’a</i>, what he thought. He answered that there was no doubt at all that the second explanation was the correct one. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">May we merit to recognize, despite any pain and suffering that we may experience, that our ability to feel joy and happiness comes from hard work to draw out every drop of light and life from within the wellsprings within us and a recognition that we do not need any person, place, thing, or circumstance in order to connect to the ultimate joy. May we merit seeing the true joy of the <i>Simchas Beis HaShoeva</i> in person, in Yerushalayim at the reestablished fallen Sukkah of Dovid HaMelech, may it be rebuilt soon in our days with the coming of Moshiach!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-53025281971977761302016-03-01T10:41:00.003-05:002016-03-01T10:42:32.313-05:00New Video of History of Aish Kodesh/Rav Moshe Weinberger Posted!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/on8Xl4fkFJU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><br />This video, created by the amazingly talented David Jassee of <a href="http://dmjstudios.net/">DMJ Studios</a>, has amazing interviews with Rav and Rebbetzin Weinberger and many others from the shul. It has amazing pictures from past decades and the shul. It is beautiful, inspiring, and funny. I definitely reccomend seeing this extremely professional video.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDdogNbPAqM/VtW2IQCRbNI/AAAAAAAAIBE/2PuPdvNXl9Q/s1600/Wedding2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDdogNbPAqM/VtW2IQCRbNI/AAAAAAAAIBE/2PuPdvNXl9Q/s400/Wedding2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AevyB_OEI-4/VtW2IDjyXEI/AAAAAAAAIBA/PNWsrk_9F60/s1600/Wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AevyB_OEI-4/VtW2IDjyXEI/AAAAAAAAIBA/PNWsrk_9F60/s400/Wedding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Yp_y9jLCjc/VtW2UtzSz1I/AAAAAAAAIBU/fpLqGNuE_WE/s1600/IMG_1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Yp_y9jLCjc/VtW2UtzSz1I/AAAAAAAAIBU/fpLqGNuE_WE/s400/IMG_1175.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q18WYRAsHJo/VtW2Q0KYKcI/AAAAAAAAIBQ/4pWK7t5FLaM/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q18WYRAsHJo/VtW2Q0KYKcI/AAAAAAAAIBQ/4pWK7t5FLaM/s400/IMG_1176.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j5cxdJcMAZU/VtW2Qxd0J_I/AAAAAAAAIBM/lz-PEVpQKzk/s1600/IMG_1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j5cxdJcMAZU/VtW2Qxd0J_I/AAAAAAAAIBM/lz-PEVpQKzk/s400/IMG_1177.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-38709795798224542016-02-23T10:00:00.001-05:002016-02-23T10:03:46.816-05:00Clothing Makes the Man - Rabbi Yoni Levin's Shabbos Morning Drasha - Parshas Tetzaveh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rabbi Yoni Levin, the assistant rabbi at Aish Kodesh, was kind enough to send me his Shabbos morning drashah from this Shabbos, <i>parshas Tetzaveh</i>. Enjoy!</span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Clothing is an <b>extraordinarily powerful</b> tool.</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">It’s not only a way of covering up one’s body, but it’s a way expressing one’s inner most feelings.&nbsp; There are studies done about how people feel when it rains versus when it‘s sunny outside; and those feelings will in turn affect their decision making and particular what clothing they might wear that day.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">If someone is feeling down, he or she might wear black clothing.&nbsp; And someone who is feeling chipper might decide to wear colorful and bright clothing.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><b><u><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">בגדי כהונה</span></u></b><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Although at first glance, clothing is very superficial, very external, the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">תורה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> describes the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בגדי כהונה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> as <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">לכבוד ולתפארת</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, clothing of honor and glory.&nbsp;&nbsp; The <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בגדי כהונה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> demanded respect; it imbued a great sense of fear to whoever was <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">זוכה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> to see the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בגדי כהונה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">When the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כהן גדול</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> would walk through the hallways of the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בית המקדש</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> with his long coat, almost like a cape with the melodious bells ringing, wearing his finely hand-woven shirt and pants, and those shining jewels lined across his <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חשן משפט</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, and his prestigious hat, and the name of Hashem written across his forehead.&nbsp; A person would tremble at the very jingling of the bells, let alone when the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כהן גדול</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> stepped into your presence.&nbsp; It would make you melt, crumble into pieces.&nbsp; It would instill guilt for everything you’ve done wrong making you shatter.&nbsp; You feel the presence of greatness, of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קדושה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, you feel as if the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שכינה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> is hovering in front of your very eyes.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">It’s amazing what someone else’s clothing can do to us.&nbsp;&nbsp; It is amazing how are feelings can be altered by someone else’s clothing.&nbsp; It could make us jealous.&nbsp; It could make us scared.&nbsp; Sometimes it can even make us laugh.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">How Our Clothing Affects Us</span></u></b><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">That’s how other people’s clothing affects us.&nbsp; But let’s not focus on other people’s clothing.&nbsp; Let us take a look out ourselves.&nbsp; How do <i>our </i>clothes affect us?&nbsp; How does that shirt that I put on this morning affect me?&nbsp; How do those shoes that I just slipped on affect me?</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Delivery of Uniforms on Shabbos</span></u></b></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The following Shailah was once presented to Rav Shlomo Zalman Aurbach.&nbsp; There was a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חיל</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> who was on duty on Shabbos at the army base.&nbsp; A package was delivered and he knew that it was the new uniforms that had been ordered.&nbsp; He wasn’t sure if was permitted to open it up and give them up, or if it as prohibited because of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מוקצה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; The boy decided to play it safe and he did not open thr package on Shabbos.</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">After Shabbos he sent the Shailah to Rav Shlomo Zalman wanting to know whether he had made the right decision or not.&nbsp; Rav Shlomo Zalman’s response was that he should have opened up the package and given them out.&nbsp; Because a soldier feels like a new person with a new uniform, <b>he is reinvigorated with new energy, strength and confidence.</b>&nbsp; It will motivate him to perform and serve his duty even better.</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Rav Shlomo Zalman understood how clothing can impact a person’s confidence, his perspective, his ability to perform.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Clothing Transforms us</span></u></b></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Although clothing is so superficial and so external, it has an ability to transform a person.&nbsp; The <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">גמ'</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> says that a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כהן</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>is not a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כהן</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> unless he is wearing the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בגדי כהונה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; The clothing makes him into who he is.&nbsp; <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בזמן שבגדיהם עליהם כהונתכם עליהם אין בגדיהם עליהם אין כהונתכם עליהם</span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">When a person wants to change, when a person wants to overcome a struggle, a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">תאוה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, it requires baby steps.&nbsp; It requires small changes - changes in things that seem so insignificant, so minor, so mundane, yet to easy that can have enormous impact.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Overcoming the Weather</span></u></b><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">My wife told me that whenever it would rain, she would wear black because that’s how she felt.&nbsp; But then she starting thinking that she didn’t want to be sad, she didn’t want to be gloomy just because it was nasty outside. &nbsp;She didn’t want the weather to dictate how she felt. She decided instead to fight the weather and that whenever it would rain she would do the opposite.&nbsp; She would wear brighter clothing on the rainy days.&nbsp; Her clothing would put her in a better mood and fight the downwards pull of the weather.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Overcoming our <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יצר הרע</span></span></u></b></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"><span dir="RTL" lang="HE"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">When kids go to Israel for a year, everyone makes fun of those guys who quickly start wearing black and white.&nbsp; Many times these are the kids who are struggling most, and by them changing their clothing, it shows us where they want to be, it shows their <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">רצון</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> to overcome their struggles in life.&nbsp; These young boys would like to be learning in the Beis Midrash more.&nbsp; There is this pull that’s taking them outside.&nbsp; It could be the phone, the internet; it could be girls; it could be drinking.&nbsp; Whatever dark world that they are living, the have the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">רצון</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> to pull out of it.&nbsp; If they <i>dress</i> the part, they are <u>hoping</u>they can <i>play</i> the part.&nbsp; Not always successful, but it comes from a deep place within them.</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">The <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ספר חינוך</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> is famous for writing in a number of places how the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חיצוניות</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>positively impacts the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פנימיות</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, how the external, how one dresses really does affect the deeper part of the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">נשמה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">This is not full-proof by any means.&nbsp; Just because someone begins to dress a certain way, and affiliate with a certain type, it by no way means that the person will actually change.&nbsp; But it is at the least a start.&nbsp; It is an easy change and helps get the ball moving.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><b><u><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: inherit;">בגד</span></u></b></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Perhaps this is why the word is <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בגד</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, the 3 consecutive letters in a row, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בג"ד</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; This indicates how clothing, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בגדים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, something so small, something so mundane, can push us and encourage us helping us grow on a slow, steady and healthy path – from a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> to a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ג</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>to a<span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ד</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">It is similar to learning Daf Yomi which also starts with a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, every <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מסכתא</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, starts with a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בג"ד</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; That too is about taking small strides in growth.&nbsp; Just one Daf a day.&nbsp; Even if you aren’t feeling the drive, but you know you should be learning.&nbsp; Showing up for 45 minutes a day, one daf after the next, will engender a healthy growth in learning.</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">This coming Monday night, thanks to Jeremy Feder, we are beginning Maseches Megilla.&nbsp; Each night we will be learning one Daf.&nbsp; It is a great opportunity to take upon yourself a small and reachable goal.&nbsp; In just 30 days we will iy”h be making a Siyum.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Even the Mundane is Holy</span></u></b><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">I know what you are all thinking about.&nbsp; Rav Weinberger goes to Israel and I am trying to convince you all to start wearing white shirts, black hats, streimels?</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">I am not talking about what we wear, but <i>how</i> we wear the clothing, how we get dressed.</span><b><u><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span></u></b><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">You know, there are <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">הלכות</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>about how to get dressed.&nbsp; Something so mundane, something so routine and something so meaningless also has rules.&nbsp; And it is not because the Torah and Chachamim are trying to be difficult and make our lives miserable <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ח"ו</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, but it’s the opposite.&nbsp; Getting dressed is full of so much <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קדושה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, we just don’t realize it!&nbsp; Everything in this world is full of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קדושה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, from getting dressed to eating, from sleeping to walking. There is <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קדושה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> everywhere we go, every person we see, every creature that we encounter, every blade of grass we see, everything we do.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">The <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כהן גדול</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> is not a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כהן גדול</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> unless he has the special clothing.&nbsp; We don’t have special clothing to wear, but perhaps if we internalized what clothing means, what it means to get dressed it can help transform us us like the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בגדי כהונה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>did to the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כהנים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Marine Commercial</span></u></b></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">I remember growing up seeing a commercial about joining the marines.&nbsp; You would see the camera focuses on just a boot.&nbsp; The boot was shiny black looking like brand new.&nbsp; You would see hands tying them really neatly and comfortably.&nbsp; Then the camera would focus on the body of a person putting on a perfectly tailored jacket buttoning to perfection.&nbsp; Then you would see just the head with a cap being tightly placed on top.&nbsp; And then the video would zoom out showing the marine in the finest uniform, standing with perfect posture ready to serve.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Every morning we should be getting dressed like this.&nbsp; We should be dressing up ready to meet the King of the Universe, to speak to him.&nbsp; Each sock that we put on, each button that we button, should be done with care and intent on meeting face to face with <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בורא עולם</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">And it is not just because we have to be presentable to <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ה' יתברך</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, but because our <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">נשמה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>needs it.&nbsp; Our attitude and our feelings are affected by the way we dress.</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">When we are struggling to fight that <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יצר הרע</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>each day, we need to be prepared to battle, we need to wear our uniform in whatever color and size they come in.&nbsp; We need to wake up and get dressed with confidence, with a goal, with a mission and say that today I will not give in to my <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יצר הרע</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">Just because yesterday you did something you shouldn’t have done.&nbsp; You looked at something you shouldn’t have looked at.&nbsp; You said something that you shouldn’t have said.&nbsp; <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ה' יתברך</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> gives us a new chance each morning.&nbsp; We wake up and get dressed and can be transformed by putting on different clothing than the day before.&nbsp; And even if you wear the same clothing his works.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><b><u><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">אדם וחוה</span></u></b><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">After the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חטא</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אדם וחוה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, the first thing that happened was that they got embarrassed and realized that they weren’t dressed.&nbsp; <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">הקב"ה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> with his boundless <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חסד</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>provided them with clothing, he provided them with an opportunity to cover up their shame, the opportunity to change who they are by simply putting on clothing.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Setting the Tone for the Day</span></u></b></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">The <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ספרים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> speak about how the first moments of the day when we wake up really sets the stage for that entire day.&nbsp; If we wake up and run over to check our phone, likely that the rest of the day we will be checking our phone.&nbsp; If we run over to check the scores in the game, then that will be the focus of the day.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">But if we wake up and look ourselves in the mirror and say that today will be a better day.&nbsp; If we get dressed being cognizant that we are soldiers prepared to fight a battle and that we are getting dressed in our uniform, then our day will be filled with us overcoming fights and struggles.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif;">&nbsp;</span></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Closing</span></u></b></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מדרש</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> teaches us that before the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חטא</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אדם וחוה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, they had clothing of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אור</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אור</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> with an <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">א</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, meaning light.&nbsp; They were clothed with light, they were surrounded by light.&nbsp; Iy”h we should be <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">זוכה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> by fighting the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יצר הרע</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> day in and day out to that <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כתונת אור</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>to that coat of light.&nbsp; By changing not what we wear but how we wear it, by dressing like soldiers, ready to battle, each day starting new, starting fresh, we should be <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">זוכה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>to overcome our struggles, overcome our <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יצר הרע</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, and very soon be <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">זוכה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> to the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כתונת אור</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אדם הראשון</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>!</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-3046793043457006332015-12-24T08:31:00.000-05:002015-12-24T10:14:18.198-05:00Narcissistic Controller or Loving Grandparent? - Yaakov and Lavan - Parshas Vayechi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hf56qjFybWQ/VnwG0y9Fw8I/AAAAAAAAHag/Nqdz1liHkxw/s1600/toxic-GPs-272x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hf56qjFybWQ/VnwG0y9Fw8I/AAAAAAAAHag/Nqdz1liHkxw/s1600/toxic-GPs-272x300.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">In recent years, I read Lavan's unhinged rant at Yaakov as the frustration of a narcissistic parent seething&nbsp;that he has been unable to manipulate Yaakov and his daughters into serving his own ends&nbsp;(Bereishis 31:43): "The daughters are my daughters, the sons are my sons, the flocks are my flocks, and everything that you have is mine!"</span></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I felt that had Lavan been a healthy parent and grandparent, he would have recognized that his grandchildren "belonged" to Yaakov, Rachel, Leah, Bilha, and Zilpa - and&nbsp;not him. Such an attitude would have demonstrated respect for his daughters and son-in-law as his grandchildren's true parents. He would only have sought to see how he could be helpful, but would not have been controling - he would not have seen&nbsp;his grandchildren as if they were&nbsp;his own children.&nbsp;</div></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">So I was surprised when, this year, I noticed that in parishas&nbsp;Vayechi,&nbsp;Yaakov himself says something that initially sounds similar to what Lavan said to him years earlier (Bereishis 48:5): "And now, the two sons born to you in&nbsp;Egypt... are mine, they shall be like Reuven and Shimon to me." While I am aware of the normal meaning ascribed to this passuk, it would be irresponsible not&nbsp;to notice the similarities (and differences) between Yaakov's words here and what Lavan said to him in parshas Vayeitze.</div></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Reading the conversation between Yaakov and Yosef, however, the whole tone is one of love and an intent on Yaakov's part&nbsp;to give the same blessings to Yosef's sons that he&nbsp;gave&nbsp;to his own. Lavan, on the other hand, flew&nbsp;into a rage because of his inability to control Yaakov and his children.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">After noticing Yaakov's words' superficial similarity to Lavan's diatribe, I revised my earlier thinking to one that is less black-and-white. After all, Chazal say on his words (Pirkei D'Rabi Eliezer 35), "Grandchildren are like children." Lavan was not wrong because it is <i>always</i> self-centered&nbsp;to consider one's grandchildren his or her own. Rather, like virtually everything else, there's a right way and a wrong way&nbsp;to do something.</div></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Yaakov wanted to <i>give</i> Efrayim and Menashe the same blessings he was giving to his own children. Lavan wanted to control Yaakov, his grandchildren,&nbsp;and his daughters. The key difference is between profound love and giving to the extent that one loves his grandchildren as much as his own, on one hand,&nbsp;and, on the other hand, selfishness, to the extent that one believes he can control his grandchildren to the same extent he thinks&nbsp;he should be able to control his children, both of whom he views as his property.</div></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">May HaShem help us adopt an attitude of giving in all of our relationships, not asking what others should be doing, but rather what we can do to be helpful and of service to&nbsp;others!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-28923044613061059672015-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:002015-11-22T08:00:02.505-05:00Believing in Your Potential - Being Engraved on the Leg of the Throne of Glory - Rabbi Yoni Levin's Shabbos Morning Drasha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rabbi Yoni Levin, the assistant rabbi at Aish Kodesh, delivered the drasha this Shabbos while Rav Weinberger was at YU for Shabbos. He spoke in &nbsp;honor of the bar mitzvah of Avi Goldstone. Mazel tov! Below is the drasha which he typed up and emailed to me. Thank you Rabbi Levin for allowing me to share it!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Believing in Your Potential - Being Engraved on the Leg of the Throne of Glory</b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s astounding how each year we read the same stories, we read the same </span><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">פרשיות</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>,</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt;"> and they never seem to grow old.&nbsp; We are in the midst of a cliffhanger, a story of suspense. We are on the edge of our seats waiting to see what happens to </span><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">יעקב אבינו</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> as he runs into the dark of the night all alone, all by himself, scared, and lost.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">I’m not sure about each of you, but I could never read the same book twice.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">But when it comes to the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">תורה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>for some reason, each year, the story becomes more exciting.&nbsp; We are reliving the stories of the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אבות</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; Personally, I get most emotional when we read the end of the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">תורה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, and each year <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">משה רבינו</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> dies again, and it almost brings me to tears, the loss of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">משה רבינו</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, our leader, the one who lead us out of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מצרים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, through the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מדבר</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Our <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">נשמות</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> are so connected, they are so involved in each of these stories, in the lives of our ancestors, to the point that the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פרשיות</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> truly come to life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Story of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">So here we are in the middle of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ספר בראשית</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> and <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="HE"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> </span>is running away since last <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שבת</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; He’s running as fast as he could.&nbsp; He has been sent off by his parents to escape his brother <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">עשב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; His destination: the house of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">לבן</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, his uncle.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">And during this marathon, he keeps looking over his shoulder.&nbsp; He keeps looking to his right.&nbsp; He looks to his left.&nbsp; He is tense and uneasy not knowing where he may confront <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">עשו</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp;&nbsp; He’s scared from any <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חיות רעות</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, he has no support system, no one to protect him, no one to talk to.&nbsp;&nbsp; He is fighting a battle all by himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">And as <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> wanders off on his own, scared, lost, in a cloud of darkness, confusion, he winds up falling asleep in the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מקום המקדש</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ה' יתברך</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>puts <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב אבינו</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> to sleep particularly in the very place that will eventually become the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בית מקדש</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>is lying down in this place of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קדושה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, where he senses this powerful energy, this <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מקום</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> full with the potential of greatness.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">While sleeping in this place of the Divine, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> is overwhelmed with power, energy and <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קדושה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>. &nbsp;<span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="HE"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> </span>is overtaken by this dream.&nbsp; He experiences this vivid, clear, and dominant dream of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מלאכים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> ascending and descending the ladder <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">והנה סלם מצב ארצה וראשו מגיע השמימה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Message of the Dream<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> is at a very delicate moment of his life.&nbsp; What message is Hashem giving <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב אבינו</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> at this very tender life-changing moment?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> is transitioning to a life of independence.&nbsp; <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> is feeling lonely and lost, without parents and teachers to guide him. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">What is <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">הקב"ה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>teaching <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> through this dream?&nbsp; He is expected to be independent and responsible for himself.&nbsp; He is being forced to grow up.&nbsp; What <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חיזוק</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>could <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">הקב"ה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="HE"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> </span>possibly give <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב אבינו</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> at this very sensitive point in his life?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Each one of us has possibly felt this same feeling at some point in our life.&nbsp; Some of us might be feeling them right now - this feeling of darkness and loneliness.&nbsp; Perhaps we are struggling with <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פרנסה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, stuck in an unsuccessful business, no place to turn, no place to look.&nbsp; We might feel this when we get sucked into the darkness of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">תאוה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, drawn into the world of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">עבירות</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> – this sense of guilt, a sense of regret, depression, fear.&nbsp; We might feel this in a relationship, this feeling of loneliness, abandonment. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">On a global level, as a nation, as part of humanity, we might be feeling lost as we see waves of terror throughout <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ארץ ישראל</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; This past week we lost more <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קדושים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; We are constantly running away in the darkness from a different brother of ours, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ישמעאל</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; We are constantly looking over our shoulder. <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ה' ינקום דמם</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">France was hit with a big shock last Shabbos.&nbsp; Unfortunately, they were hit with reality, a reality that Jews face every day in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ארץ ישראל</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>and many cities throughout Europe.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">What is an appropriate message that can help build <i><u>us</u></i>back up, strengthen us, put us back on track, both as individuals and as a nation?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">And <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> Wakes Up…<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">When <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב אבינו</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>wakes up, he makes an interesting comment.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">ויאמר אכן יש ה' במקום הזה ואנכי לא ידעתי</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">What does the word <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אכן</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>mean?<span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" lang="HE"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>&nbsp; </span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;The Artscroll defines the word to mean “surely”.&nbsp; And <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>said “surely Hashem exists in this very place, but I was unaware”.&nbsp; <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>sensed this magnitude of energy in this <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מקום המקדש</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>. It was so certain to him, it was so clear, it was <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אכן</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, this place was undoubtedly filled with an overflow of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קדושה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">However, there is another understanding of the word <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אכן</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; Not in the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פשט</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, but in the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">רמז</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, the hint behind this word, concealed within each letter of the word <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אכן</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">The Acronym of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אכ"ן</span><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Many <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מפרשים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> explain that the word <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אכן</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> is actually an acronym.&nbsp; <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב אבינו</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>was sleeping in the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מקום המקדש</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, the center of the world, the center of the universe, the center of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שמים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; He was lying below the center of the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">עליונים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, the upper spheres.&nbsp; He was lying directly below the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כסא הכבוד</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, Hashem’s Throne of Honor, beneath the very legs that upheld the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כסא הכבוד</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">This <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כסא הכבוד</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, this throne on which the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שכינה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> resides, had 4 legs no different than any other throne that a king might be sitting on.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">On each of the 4 legs was engraved a different image.&nbsp; There was a lion, an <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אריה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, which is hinted by the letter <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">א'</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; Another leg had a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כרוב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, one of the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כרובים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, an image of a baby, hinted by the letter <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כ'</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; And a third leg was engraved with the image of an eagle, a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">נשר</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, hinted by the letter <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">נ'</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; This spells out the word <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אכן</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אריה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כרוב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, and <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">נשר</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">And what was the 4<sup>th</sup> image on the 4<sup>th</sup>leg?&nbsp; <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אכן יש ה' במקום הזה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> says that he knew the three legs, the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אכן</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> but <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אנכי לא ידעתי</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; The fourth I didn’t know, he says.&nbsp; The word <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אנכי</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> contains the three letters of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אכן</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> plus the letter <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">י</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; The 4<sup>th</sup> leg is represented by the letter <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">י'</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; What does the letter <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">י'</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> stand for?&nbsp; <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חז"ל</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>tells us that the image of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> was engraved on the 4<sup>th</sup>leg.&nbsp; The letter <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">י'</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>represents <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> himself.&nbsp; Now when <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> says <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אנכי לא ידעתי</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> it means he didn’t know the letter <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">י</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, he didn’t know himself, he didn’t know <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אנכי</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; He didn’t realize that he himself was the 4<sup>th</sup> leg.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">The Image of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> was in a difficult stage of his life.&nbsp; He was forced to grow up.&nbsp; He was off on his own.&nbsp; And during this very challenging stage <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">הקב"ה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> shows him a dream.&nbsp; <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ה' יתברך</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>shows <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב אבינו</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> how much potential he has.&nbsp; He shows him the tremendous heights that he can reach.&nbsp; <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> says <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אנכי לא ידעי</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, I didn’t know how far I can reach, I didn’t know that my image touches the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כסא הכבוד</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; I didn’t realize my actions have ripple effects in the World above.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">This message of teaching <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב אבינו</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>how much he could accomplish is also the message behind the ladder.&nbsp; The ladder is rooted in the ground <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">והנה סלם מוצב ארצה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> but <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ראשו מגיע השמימה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>that we can reach tremendous heights.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Our Image in the 4<sup>th</sup> Leg<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">The truth is, if you look at the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">גמ'</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חגיגה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> which records the 4 legs of the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כסא הכבוד</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> doesn’t say that <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יעקב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>is the 4<sup>th</sup> leg but the 4<sup>th</sup> leg is <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אדם</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>– any person.&nbsp; Each one of us has our image imprinted on that 4<sup>th</sup> leg.&nbsp; Avi&nbsp; - you have your image on the 4<sup>th</sup> leg of the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כסא הכבוד</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; You have the ability to reach tremendous heights and lofty goals.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">This 4<sup>th</sup> leg is a mirror.&nbsp; And when each one of us look up at this mirror we see ourselves imprinted on the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כסא הכבוד</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; <b>This is both a daunting realization, yet an empowering message</b>.&nbsp; We have the ability to shake the world above, make waves in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שמים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">We have to internalize how powerful our actions are, how high they can reach, how we can turn over worlds, we can make changes in the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">עליונים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">There is a striking Gemara in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">גיטין</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>that records a debate about the details that surround the story of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פילגש בגבעה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;"><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">תלמוד בבלי מסכת גיטין דף ו עמוד ב</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;"><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">ועוד, הא ר' אביתר הוא דאסכים מריה על ידיה, דכתיב: בותזנה עליו פילגשו, רבי אביתר אמר: זבוב מצא לה, ר' יונתן אמר: נימא מצא לה, ואשכחיה ר' אביתר לאליהו, א"ל: מאי קא עביד הקב"ה? א"ל: עסיק בפילגש בגבעה, ומאי קאמר? אמר ליה: אביתר בני כך הוא אומר, יונתן בני כך הוא אומר, א"ל: ח"ו, ומי איכא ספיקא קמי שמיא? א"ל: אלו ואלו דברי אלהים חיים הן זבוב מצא ולא הקפיד, נימא מצא והקפיד. אמר רב יהודה: זבוב בקערה, ונימא באותו מקום, זבוב - מאיסותא, ונימא - סכנתא. איכא דאמרי: אידי ואידי בקערה, זבוב - אונסא, ונימא – פשיעותא</span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">What is most striking though is that when Hashem is learning this topic, he is quoting <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ר' אביתר</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> and <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ר' יונתן</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; And the same holds true, when we are learning and we are <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מחדש</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>something, Hashem will quote us.&nbsp; That is as if to say, we are placing the words in Hashem’s mouth.&nbsp; We are dictating what is being said upstairs in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שמים</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">If we can just take this idea to heart and realize how far reaching our speech, our thoughts, our actions can go, it will drive us to do only good.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">We need to be confident in ourselves, confident in our actions - how we act really does make a difference.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><u><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">A Little Bit About Avi<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">When you take a look at Avi, one thing immediately comes to mind; and that’s his precious smile - that smile that goes from cheek to cheek.&nbsp; Avi is forever in the state of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שמחה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.&nbsp; <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">שמחה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> is key to reaching one’s true potential, one’s true heights.&nbsp; It indicates a healthy dose of confidence that will enable Avi to reach immeasurable heights.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; text-align: right; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">תלמוד בבלי מסכת שבת דף קל עמוד א</span><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; text-align: right; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">תניא, רבן שמעון בן גמליאל אומר: כל מצוה שקיבלו עליהם בשמחה כגון מילה, דכתיב שש אנכי על אמרתך כמוצא שלל רב - עדיין עושין אותה בשמחה, </span><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; text-align: right; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Avi is starting off his life as a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בר מצוה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="HE"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> </span>boy with an unthinkable amount of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שמחה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Now Avi, as you embark on this new journey supplied with the proper tools to succeed, you need to believe in yourself and your ability to succeed.&nbsp; You already have shown us an enormous amount of success with your dedication to daven, perform <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מצוות</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> and learn.&nbsp; You need to remember <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">והנה סולם מוצב ארצה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>, that the ladder is grounded, you need to stay firm and grounded with a strong base, a healthy one.&nbsp; But you also need to look forward and find your mission in life and to realize that you can be <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מגיע השמימה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , &quot;serif&quot;; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">We look forward to seeing you continuously grow and you should only bring Nachas to your family and continue to inspire all of us around you with your smile, your happiness, your dedication to Torah, Tefila and Mitzvos!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mazel Tov and Good Shabbos!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-18096670459126006962015-10-13T13:48:00.002-04:002015-10-15T14:32:22.142-04:00Rundown of Major Articles/Events in Connection with Aish Kodesh Hilula and Sefer Debut<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">There are a lot of exciting things going on &nbsp;in connection with the big <i>hilula</i> being held by my shul, Aish Kodesh (Woodmere, NY), this <i>motzei Shabbos </i>at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-poIauhP3GsU/Vh06d9TV3rI/AAAAAAAAGXc/eKQWFyw1ZMg/s1600/Aish_Kodesh_Hillula_5771_DSC_6353_6X4%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-poIauhP3GsU/Vh06d9TV3rI/AAAAAAAAGXc/eKQWFyw1ZMg/s320/Aish_Kodesh_Hillula_5771_DSC_6353_6X4%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">First is the Hilula itself. &nbsp;Besides naming the shul after the sefer Aish Kodesh by Rav Kalonymus Kalman Shapira of Piaseczna, <i>Hy"d</i>, Rav Moshe Weinberger has been holding <i>hilulas</i> (events to celebrate the life and teachings of a <i>tzaddik</i> on his yahrtzeit) in honor of the Piaseczner Rebbe since 2000. As noted above, this year's <i>hilula</i> is going to be this <i>motzei Shabbos</i>, right after <i>parshas Noach</i>, at 8:30 p.m. at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst (corner of Broadway and Spruce in Cedarhurst, NY in the Five Towns). Yosef Karduner will be playing with Gadi Pugatch on violin (who you might recognize from <a href="https://youtu.be/7fuhTUvDuik">HERE</a>) and Rav Weinberger will be speaking. So if you're in the tri-state area, come on out <i>motzei Shabbos</i>! It promises to be an amazing evening.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ly7r7_Lt5DY/Vh07VoaYoDI/AAAAAAAAGXk/BOhcvwa58ow/s1600/cover%2B3d%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ly7r7_Lt5DY/Vh07VoaYoDI/AAAAAAAAGXk/BOhcvwa58ow/s320/cover%2B3d%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Second is the <i>sefer</i> debuting at the <i>hilula</i>. Many moons ago, Rav Weinberger asked me to make a <i>sefer</i> adapting the talks he gave at previous years' <i>hilulas</i> into writing. B"H, with the help of many sponsors, I did that and the <i>sefer</i> is now out and ready to be read! It's entitled "Warmed by the Fire of the Aish Kodesh - Torah from the <i>Hilulas</i> of Reb Kalonymus Kalman Shapira of Piaseczna." There will be many copies of the sefer available for purchase at the <i>hilula</i>. If &nbsp;you can't be there, you can also buy it at your local Jewish bookstore, through&nbsp;<a href="http://www.feldheim.com/warmed-by-the-fire-of-the-aish-kodesh.html">Feldheim's website</a>&nbsp;or on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;field-keywords=warmed+by+the+fire+of+the+aish+kodesh">Amazon.com</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I also recommend that you read a <a href="http://uberdox.aishdas.org/2015/09/brief-review-of-warmed-by-the-fire-of-aish-kodesh">review of the book</a> that Neil Harris just posted at his blog Modern Uberdox. Really heartfelt and beautiful. To me, the key line from the review is this:</div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">I think the greatness of this publication is that it opens up a thirst that we don’t even know we have. We learn about and from the Piseczna Rebbe and the sefer leaves you wanting&nbsp;</span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">more</em><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">. Wanting to learn his seforim, wanting to overcome the darkness in your life, wanting to come closer to Hashem. That’s why this is a more than just a sefer.</span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">If you want to get more insight into what is motivating Rav Weinberger to do so many things to perpetuate the teachings of the Aish Kodesh (naming the shul after him, holding an annual <i>hilula</i> on his yahrtzeit, instituting a <i>siyum</i> on Shas by the men in shul and on Tanach by the women in shul on the yahrtzeit), I definitely recommend you watch this video. Rav Weinberger let me sit down with him for an "interview" <i>motzei Shabbos Shuva</i>. It's 8 minutes long and in the video, Rav Weinberger gives a much deeper insight into what motivates him to do so much for the Piaseczner and why his teachings seem to speak so much to this generation. Just turn the volume up on your computer/device though because unfortunately the sound is a bit low!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-GmyMht8B2s?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><br /><b>Inyan Magazine Cover Story This Week, My Five Towns Jewish Times Article, and Nachum Segal JM in the AM&nbsp;Appearance</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvlBYAwNRlQ/Vh_S8JMywxI/AAAAAAAAGYU/p1CyYi_2YLA/s1600/Inyan%2BMag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AvlBYAwNRlQ/Vh_S8JMywxI/AAAAAAAAGYU/p1CyYi_2YLA/s320/Inyan%2BMag1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>In honor of the Piaseczner's yahrtzeit and to raise awareness about this tzaddik so people will explore his teachings more, I wrote the cover story for this week's issue of Hamodia Weekly's Inyan Magazine! So pick up a copy of that this week! I assume it will be on shelves tomorrow (Wednesday) or Thursday. [<b>Update 10/14/15</b>: I've inserted a picture of the Inyan Magazine cover on the right and you can see some pictures of the interior of the issue <a href="https://www.facebook.com/katzdoniel/posts/1000489623334481">here as well</a>.]<br /><br />[<b>Update 10/15/15</b>: My article in the Five Towns Jewish Times about the Hilula and other goings-on at Aish Kodesh just went online today! So you can read that <a href="http://5tjt.com/new-aish-kodesh-publication-honors-warsaw-ghetto-rebbe/">HERE</a>. Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am also going to be a guest on Nachum Segal's JM in the AM show at 7:45 tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at about 7:45 a.m. to talk about the <i>hilula</i> and what it's all about! So listen in at that time at 91.1 FM or online. I'll IY"H update this post with a link to the audio when it's available on their website. [<b>Update 10/14/15</b>: You can now listen to the full interview online <a href="http://www.nachumsegal.com/nachum-hosted-binyomin-wolf-to-highlight-the-aish-kodesh-hilula-and-more/">HERE</a> - 24 minutes - or in the embedded Youtube video below. Nachum asked me about the Hilula, the sefer release, and a few questions about my somewhat unusual personal background as well.]</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SagQjTTiKeM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><br />Most importantly, pick up one of the Piaseczner's seforim and make a seder in learning and applying it!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-14449274115020664972015-07-15T09:11:00.002-04:002015-07-15T10:20:11.808-04:00Rav Moshe Weinberger's Guidance to Me on Responding to Tragic News in the Community<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The daughter-in-law of an acquaintance of mine in the community just passed into the next world two days ago, on Monday. They discovered that she was suffering from oso hamachla 8 weeks ago, when she was 7 months pregnant. They caused the birth of a baby girl 4 weeks ago and operated at that time. A tremendous number of people in the community and around the world have been davening for her recovery. But in the end, she passed away anyway. She was 31 years old and left behind a husband and 3 daughters under 7 years old.</span></div><div style="color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div><div style="color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because I wanted to support the father-in-law in this incredibly difficult time, I worked from home yesterday and attended the funeral, which was obviously very hard.</span></div><div style="color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div><div style="color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After mincha/maariv last night, I mentioned to Rav Weinberger that I had been at the funeral and that it was‎ very difficult. I think because he knew that I did not have a very close personal connection with the family, and I was not a close relative, this is what he said:</span></div><div style="color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SCxMdEHMx14/VaZbQPpd_MI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/ARiBMYMgTB8/s1600/Rav%2Bweinberger%2Bwilliamsburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SCxMdEHMx14/VaZbQPpd_MI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/ARiBMYMgTB8/s1600/Rav%2Bweinberger%2Bwilliamsburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SCxMdEHMx14/VaZbQPpd_MI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/ARiBMYMgTB8/s400/Rav%2Bweinberger%2Bwilliamsburg.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><br /><br /><div style="color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"It's very hard, but there is also such good news. Chanan (a member of the shul) just had a baby boy. So many other babies have come into the world in the past couple of days. Misha and Estee (other members of the shul who were </span><a href="http://www.vosizneias.com/209143/2015/07/13/goshen-ny-route-17-reopened-after-multi-car-crash-seriously-injures-orthodox-woodmere-family/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">in a serious car accident Sunday night</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">) have seen tremendous miracles in their recovery‎. There is so much to be thankful for."</span></div><div style="color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div><div style="color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rav Weinberger was giving me gentle mussar and teaching me an important point. There is bad news all over the world and I (and i'm sure many other people - that's why i'm posting this) focus excessively on that or feel that I'm not feeling other Jews' pain if I don't dwell on tragedies.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div><div style="color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‎It's important to note that the nifteres here was not my sister, best friend, or sister-in-law. Accordingly, this was not my pain. It was a question of feeling other Jews' pain. So Rav Weinberger was showing me how someone in my position should view tragedies. I should not put such an inordinate focus on them to the exclusion of other Jews' joyous occasions and smachos. ‎It shows that I don't truly connect to other Jews if I fail to focus on their celebrations and only notice tragic news. That lopsided focus&nbsp;only empowers the Kingdom of Sadness.</span></div><div style="color: #262626; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: inherit;">May I and the rest of us merit to rejoice in other Jews' much-more-numerous happy occasions and not place an inordinate emphasis on the sad times.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Click here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or </span><a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe"><span style="font-family: inherit;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to "follow" me on Twitter.</span></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-54020736122098531372015-07-06T14:18:00.000-04:002015-07-06T14:20:07.493-04:00Rabbi Yoni Levin's Innagural Drasha as Assistant Rabbi at Aish Kodesh, Woodmere - Parshas Balack 5775<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">This past Monday (a week ago today), Aish Kodesh in Woodmere held an all-membership meeting&nbsp;at which Rav Moshe Weinberger and the board announced that Rav Weinberger had selected Aish Kodesh's first assistant rabbi: Rabbi Yoni Levin. Rav Weinberger spoke very, very&nbsp;highly about Rabbi Levin and his Rebbetzin, Randi. He definitely has a very impressive background, as you can see from his biography on the <a href="http://www.yutorah.org/Rabbi_Yoni_Levin">YUTorah page where his shiurim are posted</a>:<br /><br /></div><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">Rabbi Yoni Levin is currently the assistant rabbi at Congregation Aish Kodesh and a rebbe at Yeshivas Lev Shlomo, in Woodmere, NY, an affiliate of HALB. He graduated from Yeshiva College with a B.S. in Mathematics and a minor in Business from the Sy Syms School of Business. He received semicha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University, and was a fellow at the prestigious Beren Kollel Elyon at RIETS. Rabbi Levin also studied in Israel for a year and a half at Yeshivat Hakotel. In addition, he has written scholarly Torah articles in Yeshiva University’s annual publications, Beis Yitzchak and Kol Tzvi. Rabbi Levin has participated in numerous Yeshiva University Communtiy Kollelim, including the DRS High School kollel in Long Island and others in the New York area. Rabbi Levin has also spent time in the workforce at PricewaterhouseCoopers in the actuarial department. Rabbi Levin and his wife Randi currently live in Woodmere with their five children, Batsheva, Yocheved, Yeshaya, Zev, and Yisroel Meir. </blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This past Shabbos, parhas Balak, Rav Weinberger was away and we had the zechus to hear Rabbi Levin for the first time as our new assistant rabbi. And he used the opportunity not only to give a drasha, but to share some feelings about beginning his formal role with the shul. This time, it was not me who wrote up the drasha. Rather, Rabbi Levin himself wrote the following, just as <a href="http://brussels.mc.yu.edu/gsdl/cgi-bin/library.exe?site=localhost&amp;a=p&amp;p=about&amp;c=lammserm">Rabbi Norman Lamm did</a>. It is my privilege to share the following drasha with my readership, which Rabbi Levin was kind enough to permit me to reproduce here:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rabbi Yoni Levin</div><div style="text-align: center;">Parshas Balak 5775</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a most humbling honor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On behalf of my wife, I would like to begin by expressing our gratitude to the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">רבונו שלום</span> for this very special and unique opportunity to be part of this <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קהילה קדושה</span>, a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קהילה</span> that has been founded on <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חסידות</span>, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פנימיות</span>, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">לימוד התורה</span>, personal growth, growth in learning, drawing close to one another, drawing closer to Hashem.</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the past 2 years of giving the morning daf yomi shiur, I have been met with only positive encounters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This is a קהילה filled with warmth, care, and a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קהילה</span> that possesses an extraordinary powerful desire to learn, grow, and spread Hashem’s Torah.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I have had the great <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">זכות</span>in participating in the various shul-wide events many of which have been led and organized by <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">יצחק מרדכי</span> Feder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Each event filled with singing, Torah, rebbe, and <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אחדות</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חנוכה מסיבה</span> at the Lawrence’s, the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ט"ו בשבט סדר</span> at the Shuckmans, the Purim Chagiga at the Gelmans, and the ultimate <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ל"ג בעומר</span> celebration. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>In addition to the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בני מחשבה טובה</span> chaburahs that have been organized by Reb Yirmi Ginsberg and hosted by the Gelmans, Perkels, Lerners, Rosens, Hoenigs, and the Horowitzs.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Recently, under the guidance and initiative of Efrayim Nudman, Shaul Harari, and Yaakov Meir Cohen, the shul has begun several new programs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The one that I personally have been involved in, is the Sunday morning Chabura.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It has been quite a success as a great way to begin our week with in-depth learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I very much love the interactions that I have which each one of the participants and it’s inspiring to see the tremendous amount of enthusiasm as the Kol Torah echoes through the upstairs Beis Midrash.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">What is unique about these events is that each one of them has been initiated by one of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Each one of you has an overwhelming <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">רצון</span> to create more events, to infuse more learning, and host these various events.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">We can’t forgot the women who are either allowing, encouraging, or even pushing their husbands to come out and learn on Sundays, or early mornings, Shabbos afternoons, or late nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">It is our hope that my wife and I can assist in any way possible in fulfilling the mission of this <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קהילה קדושה</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">It is our dream that we can help every member, every family grow in learning, grow in Avodas Hashem each at his or her own pace and level.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Prior to my joining of the shul 2 years ago, I had never met Rav Weinberger shlit”a.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yet quickly, Rav Weinberger turned into rebbe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Even though I am being forced to sit up front, I am a talmid, a congregant of rebbe just as much as any of you are.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I thirst rebbe’s Torah like any of you. I try to guess at which Shachris minyan rebbe will be davening just to catch a glimpse of the tzadik that we are so blessed to have among us.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I have had many rebbeim throughout my years in yeshiva and still stay in touch with many of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But I have never had a rebbe like ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A master of all trades – a master in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">נגלה</span>, a master in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">נסתר</span>, a master in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">עיצה</span>.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">It is with much gratitude to Rebbe for giving me this wonderful opportunity, to work with him in serving this wonderful <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קהילה קדושה</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I thank him and you, the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קהילה</span>, for placing trust in me and look forward to an amazing year as we strive to fulfill our mission as a unit, as a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קהילה</span> until the coming of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">משיח</span>when we will continue this very mission in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ירושלים במהרה בימינו אמן</span>!</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">There is an astonishing gemara that appears in Berachos (12b).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חכמים</span>had a fleeting thought to insert the entire <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פרשת בלק</span>smack in the middle of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קריאת שמע</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Could you imagine saying <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שמע ישראל ה' אלקינו ה' אחד</span> and then go off on a tangent in reciting the entire <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פרשת בלק</span>?!</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">And the only reason why they held back, was because it would be a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">טירחא דציבור</span>, an extreme burden upon the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קהילה</span>, having to recite the entire <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פרשת בלק</span>twice a day in addition the rest of davening.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">So what <i>was</i> the reason in the first place if this idea inserting <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פרשת בלק</span><span lang="HE"> </span>in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קריאת שמע</span>, the height of our <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">תפילה</span>, interrupting our <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קבלת עול מלכות שמים</span>?</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Where is there room in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שמע</span>when we are in the midst of being <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מקבל קבלת עול מלכות שמים</span> to insert the story of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בלק</span>and <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בלעם</span>, the story individuals who wanted to destroy <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כלל ישראל</span>?</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The answer is found in the gemara. The <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">גמרא</span>explains that we would have read the entire <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פרשת בלק</span>just for the sake of one <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פסוק</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There is this one <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פסוק</span>that finds its appropriate placement smack in the middle of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span><span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קריאת שמע</span>and that <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פסוק</span><span lang="HE"> </span>is:</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">כרע שכב כארי וכלביא מי יקימנו</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> – “He will crouch and lay down like a lion, like a young lion – who then can stand up against him?”</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">It doesn’t come across as a very powerful statement – not earth stretching by any stretch of the imagination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>This is the pasuk that was but so close to being <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>inserted in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שמע</span>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>What does the pasuk even mean?</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Rashi explains that this pasuk is similar to the words that appear in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שמע</span> of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בשכבך ובקומך</span>that <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">הקב"ה</span> watches over us when we get up, when we are awake and when we sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Just as we describe in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קריאת שמע</span> how Hashem protects us all day and night, so too this <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פסוק</span><span lang="HE"> </span>from <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פרשת בלק</span> describes this very same concept that Hashem protects us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>For this reason, for this similarity, there was a thought to include <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פרשת בלק</span> within <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קריאת שמע</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The truth is, this is the theme of all of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פרשת בלק</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כלל ישראל</span> was innocently journeying through the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מדבר</span> their enemies were plotting against them as they always are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And without us knowing, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">הקב"ה</span><span lang="HE"> </span>as always, protected us, ensured our safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He is constantly fighting our battles, He is forever protecting us from our enemies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">When we are <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כרע שכב כארי וכלביא מי יקימנו</span>– even when we are sleeping who can stand up against us with the protection of Hashem.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">During many of such occurrences, we find ourselves in a deep slumber completely oblivious to the details of the behind the scenes, but when we recite <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קריאת שמע</span>, when we read <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פרשת בלק</span>, we are reminded that even though we don’t see and even though we don’t hear of these <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ניסים</span>, we know that <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">הקב"ה</span> is forever protecting us.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">והיא שעמדה לאבותינו ולנו שלא אחד עמד עלינו לכלותינו הקב"ה מצילנו מידם</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">This is the message of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קריאת שמע</span>, this is the message of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פרשת בלק</span>, this is the message of the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פסוק</span> -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כרע שכב כארי וכלביא מי יקימנו</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Hashem is forever watching over us.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">But there are times when we do forget this and we don’t realize that Hashem is watching over us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>When times are good, prosperous there is a tendency to forget the source of everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We speed through <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קריאת שמע</span>, we don’t internalize this concept, we tend to forget that Hashem is watching over us.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Today is <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שבעה עשר בתמוז</span>, the beginning of the 3 weeks, the beginning of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בין המצרים</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It is a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">תקופה</span>where we feel distant from Hashem, when we recognize the lack of the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בית המקדש</span>, the disconnect from Hashem, from <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ארץ ישראל</span>, from <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ירושלים</span>, and feel almost forgotten just as we have forgotten Hashem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We are in a period of very intense <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אבילות</span> which underscores the distance we are feeling from Hashem.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">How are we supposed to react to this distance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>How do we draw closer when feel the we are drifting further and further?</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">A few months ago, I sat in a lecture from Rabbi Motti Berger in Aish Hatorah in the Old City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He gives a very intense and engaging lecture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He had presented 2 scenarios asking which would bring a person closer to Hashem - someone who won the lottery and would have no financial worries or someone, as he described and apologize for being so extreme in this example, who was on the top floor of the World Trade Center as the plane hit the building below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The undisputed answer was that the one experiencing the fear, pain, and threat would sooner acknowledge and draw closer to Hashem.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">During these trying times, when a person is helpless, there is nobody to rely on except for our Father in Heaven, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אבינו שבשמים</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We are being cornered, we are being forced to recognize Hashem.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Hashem is twisting our arm, making us so uncomfortable through this period of 3 weeks until we scream “mercy”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Until we realize that there is nothing but Hashem Above.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">But the Magid of Mezeritch explains differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He gives a positive spin to this period of 3 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The idea is not that we are being shoved into the center of the circle to dance with the Choson, but instead the Choson is coming out to greet us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Hashem is coming closer to us.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Allow me to explain.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The Pasuk in Eicha says that <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">"כל רודפיה השיגוה בין המצרים"</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The Magid explains that <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">כל רודפיה</span>, anyone who is <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">רודף י-ה</span>, one who chases Hashem will be <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">משיג</span> him, will catch him, will come to close him, specifically during the period of the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בין המצרים</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">But how is it that during this time period when we feel so distant, we don’t see the light, is it possible to draw closer to Hashem?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>How does that make sense to draw closer when we are missing the main vehicle to <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שמים</span>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We don’t have the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בית המקדש</span>, we don’t have <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קרבנות</span>, we have no way to connect.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">I recently had taken my kids to Disney World, the Magic Kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I need to thank Hurricane Sandy and the insurance company in helping build up credit cards points to pay for the trip.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Now in Magic Kingdom, the king is Mickey Mouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As you can imagine there are many long lines throughout the park and to take a picture with Mickey is no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Well for the most part. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Waiting to see Mickey is a bit different.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The line for just taking a picture with Mickey begins outside this large building towards the front of the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>And as you move inside the building, you go through this door and you think you are there ready to take that photo you’ve been waiting for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But then you pass through another door… and you are still not there, until you pass through one final door where you find yourself in the innermost chamber but still waiting behind a few more families to meet the king.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The palace, the guards, the glory, make for a beautiful picture, it instills fear, honor, and respect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>But imagine if there were no palace, imagine if the king were to be walking through the streets with no place to hide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There would be no honor, there would be no glory, <i>but</i> it would make for a more accessible king, it would allow us to see him, come close to him, build a relationship.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Says the Magid, that this period of time when we commemorate the destruction of the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בית המקדש</span> among other Jewish calamities, there are no walls, no guards, no barriers – Hashem is completely accessible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We can approach him, we can build a relationship, we can draw closer to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This is an incredible opportunity for us to draw closer.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Embedded within <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בין המצרים</span>is a tremendous amount of potential to come closer to Hashem.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שו"ע</span> paskens that one should not recite <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שהחיינו</span> since it is a period of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אבילות</span>, one should not say a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ברכה</span> of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שהחיינו</span> which express ones thanks and gratitude, one’s <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שמחה</span> with the purchase of a new house or new fruit.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">גר"א</span>, however, argues that this is an unnecessary <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חומרא</span> and one may recite a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שהחיינו</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Perhaps the idea is that in fact reciting <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שהחיינו</span>is not contradictory to this period of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Although on the surface <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בין המצרים</span>is a period of mourning, but in its <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פנימיות</span>there is <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">שמחה</span>, Hashem is closer than any other time of the year, there are no walls and no barriers.</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">This is why on <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">תשעה באב</span> itself, which would seem to be the lowest day of the year, we don’t recite <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">תחנון</span>, because in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פנימיות</span> as <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">חז"ל</span> tells us, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">תשעה באב </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>is actually a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מועד</span>, it’s a day of celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Not on the surface, but in its <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פנימיות</span> and we therefore omit <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">תחנון</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Perhaps this is what is meant by the <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פסוק</span>in <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פ</span><span dir="RTL" lang="HE">רשת בלק</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">כרע שכב כארי וכלביא מי יקימנו</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> – “He will crouch and lay down like a lion, like a young lion – who then can stand up against him?”</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">When we are down and hurting, sleeping like a lion, destroyed and distant, sad and mourning, <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">מי יקמינו</span>, who can stand up against us?</span><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Our closest connection is specifically during times like these, the period of <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">בין המצרים</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That is when Hashem draws closer to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>That is when we draw closer to each other, that is when we have <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">אחדות</span> like we saw just a year ago with the 3 boys in Israel.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">גמרא</span> tells us that when something bad happens we say <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">ברוך דיין אמת</span>but <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">לעתיד לבוא</span> we will say a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">טוב המטיב</span> because even the bad is really good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We don’t realize it because on the surface it appears to be bad, but everything is really good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Even the 3 weeks are very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">פנימיות</span>everything is good, its only in the external that things appear otherwise.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">It is my hope and <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">תפילה</span>, that we come to the point soon of recognizing everything as <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">טוב</span>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>where we can take every opportunity, every event, every milestone as an opportunity to draw closer to Hashem and draw closer to each other, as we grow as a community, as a <span dir="RTL" lang="HE">קהילה</span>led by our leader, rebbe,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>with our common goal, our common mission.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">Again, I thank you all for this most humbling honor and most remarkable opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you in the upcoming year.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;">***</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-8353884691708137512015-06-19T10:02:00.000-04:002015-07-16T10:47:49.388-04:00Eretz Yisroel - Aish Kodesh Journey to Ukraine and Eretz Yisroel - June 4-7, 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Continuing the summary of the Torah, sights, and sounds the Aish Kodesh chevra experienced in <a href="http://dixieyid.blogspot.com/2015/06/berditchev-and-mezhibuzh-aish-kodesh.html">Berditchev and Mezhibuzh</a> and in <a href="http://dixieyid.blogspot.com/2015/06/breslov-and-uman-aish-kodesh-visit-to.html">Breslov and Uman</a>, the chevra came to Eretz Yisroel on June 4, 2015 on Ukrainian International Airlines (after <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1070105229670838&amp;id=120799927934711">davening in the Kiev airport</a>). The flight was not as bad as the airline's name implies it would have been.<br /><div><br /></div><div>When we <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1070252662989428&amp;id=120799927934711">arrived</a>, we first checked into the King Solomon hotel.<br /><br />Whenever Rav Weinberger refers to the maareh mekomos sheets, you can follow along by <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B38DjycQ_UmGMVF2c3RmVW1vRlU&amp;authuser=0">downloading those here</a>.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Reb Gamliel Rabinovitch, Shlita</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WKT4wjKwW4/VXtZihYgcNI/AAAAAAAAFhI/8yA-Zp7kzTo/s1600/10672372_1070446752970019_8955073420540660572_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WKT4wjKwW4/VXtZihYgcNI/AAAAAAAAFhI/8yA-Zp7kzTo/s320/10672372_1070446752970019_8955073420540660572_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After settling in to the hotel, we left to have a private meeting wth Reb Gamliel Rabinovitch, shlita. That meeting was remarkable. For those who have not met Reb Gamliel, he is a tremendous gadol in both the revealed and hidden Torah and is the Rosh Yeshiva of the kabbalah yeshiva, Shaar Hashamayim. The Rav is very humble, however, and hides his greatness behind a somewhat eccentric and self-effacing way of acting. Reb Gamliel helped set up the tables and chairs in his apartment himself and at one point even grabbed Rav Weinberger's hands and placed them on his head and would not let go until Rav Weinberger gave him a bracha. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1070651686282859&amp;id=120799927934711">Here are some pictures</a> from that visit, including some <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1070446846303343&amp;id=120799927934711">here </a>of Rebbe with Reb Gamliel.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837292/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/Tzaadikim_Trip_-_Rav_Gamliel_Rabinovitch">Click here for the mp3</a> recording of Reb Gamliel's words to our group. You can see a video of the meeting here:</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">[Video Coming Soon]</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Kivros Hata'avah</b></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Following the meeting with Reb Gamliel, the chevra <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1070650376282990&amp;id=120799927934711">had dinner</a> at <a href="http://www.papagaio.co.il/">Papagaio</a>, a Brazilian-ish style carnivorous restaurant in Yerushalayim. A good time was had by many a <i>boich</i>. After dinner, everyone was free for the rest of the evening.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Rav Kook Shiur and Kever Rochel</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6WTwAEicas/VXtZ1HCjBMI/AAAAAAAAFhQ/CsQ25PH-9gQ/s1600/11108948_1071673552847339_3109263107611839210_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6WTwAEicas/VXtZ1HCjBMI/AAAAAAAAFhQ/CsQ25PH-9gQ/s320/11108948_1071673552847339_3109263107611839210_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After davening and having breakfast Friday morning June 5, 2015, Rav Weinberger gave a short shiur in Rav Kook. You can listen to the <a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837290/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/Tzaadikim_Trip_-_Rav_Kook_Chaburah#">mp3 of that shiur here</a>. A number of young folks from the Shul who are in Eretz Yisroel for the year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1071674519513909&amp;id=120799927934711">joined up with the chevra</a> for this portion of the trip as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum of the Hebron Fund met us in Yerushalayim in a bullet-proof bus. He shared a lot of Torah and history with us as we made the short drive to visit our mother Rochel in Beis Lechem. It was troubling to see how Rochel is closed in on all sides by gigantic concrete walls to protect us from our cousins who wish to hurt us. It was also disheartening to see how we are live like prisoners behind walls at our own holy places in our own land. But it gave us more to daven for as we asked Hashem to remove the degradation of the Jewish people and bring Moshiach.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the chevra said their own personal prayers and Tehillim, Rav Weinberger led the group in several Tehillim together. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1071674096180618&amp;id=120799927934711">Here are some pictures</a> from Kever Rochel.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Chevron and Me'aras Hamachpela</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aMQj2jLBpDc/VXtZQEvUXmI/AAAAAAAAFhA/i8N-zbCVMGc/s1600/11169934_1071674886180539_2025748618574818974_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aMQj2jLBpDc/VXtZQEvUXmI/AAAAAAAAFhA/i8N-zbCVMGc/s400/11169934_1071674886180539_2025748618574818974_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For many people, the highlight of the entire trip was our visit to Me'aras Hamachpela in Chevron, which was surprising since almost everyone had been there many times before.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">The visit to Chevron started with Rabbi Hochbaum speaking with us about the history of the Jewish yishuv going back to the time of Avraham in Chevron and how there was literally a Jewish community there from that time (except the period of the Egyptian exile) until 1929, when the local Arabs massacred the Jewish community. He led us around the Jewish community and explained how they fought political and court battles for each and every home, building, and trailer that they built there were great <i>mersirus nefesh</i>. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1071675456180482&amp;id=120799927934711">Here are some pictures</a> from our tour of Chevron.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-idyprxAA9m8/VXtaQOBxqjI/AAAAAAAAFhY/sFz9dbRi8-g/s1600/11412348_1071674979513863_7105371805862123843_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-idyprxAA9m8/VXtaQOBxqjI/AAAAAAAAFhY/sFz9dbRi8-g/s400/11412348_1071674979513863_7105371805862123843_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We climbed a hill in Chevron where, at the top, there was a natural spring and a number of olive trees believed to have been alive at the time of Avraham Avinu. Rabbi Hochbaum pointed out that the spring was the only one known to exist in the area, so it is entirely possible that it is the spring referred to in the pasuk when Avraham said to the angels which appeared as men (Bereishis 18:4), "Please take a little water and wash your feet." And it could be that one of the olive trees standing near the spring was the tree about which Avraham told the angels (ibid.), "And rest under the tree."&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">With a fair warning that the water was freezing, many of the chevra immersed in the spring, which was quite an adventure! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1071675456180482&amp;id=120799927934711">Here are some pictures</a> of what we saw in Chevron and Mayan Avraham.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAbOpI4EreQ/VXtalOYZnWI/AAAAAAAAFhg/wHgopz3elPE/s1600/11401245_1071675056180522_4583814323482410442_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAbOpI4EreQ/VXtalOYZnWI/AAAAAAAAFhg/wHgopz3elPE/s400/11401245_1071675056180522_4583814323482410442_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We then went down into Me'aras Hamachpela to visit one of the only sections at our holy site where Jews are allowed to pray. Many of us said heartfelt prayers and Tehillim while one of our Yishmaeli "cousins" gave an impassioned drasha in the next room over. The real highlight of the trip was when Rav Weinberger led the group in Tehillim, announcing, "Let us now say Tehillim with all of our strength and drown out the sound of impurity from the next room." I don't know if I've ever heard such heartfelt Tehillim before. One of the loudest lines was when we reached the pasuk, "Pour our Your wrath on the nations who do not know you and who do not call out in Your name!" I know that we shook the ceiling and <i>shterred</i> our neighbors' kavvanah.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMRtgEDlMp8/VXtbFHctxqI/AAAAAAAAFho/lC-7ydNoaH4/s1600/10672184_1071675039513857_9084675438478070580_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMRtgEDlMp8/VXtbFHctxqI/AAAAAAAAFho/lC-7ydNoaH4/s400/10672184_1071675039513857_9084675438478070580_n.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But the most amazing part was feeling the electricity in the room of Avraham Avinu and Sorah Imeinu, Rav Weinberger led the group in screaming out the 13 attributes of Hashem's mercy: "G-d, G-d, merciful and compassionate G-d, patient, with great kindness and truth, who gives kindness to thousands [of generations], who carries sin and iniquity, and error, and who cleanses." Everyone cried out those words (in Hebrew obviously) seven times in unison at the top of their lungs. Rav Weinberger then led everyone in saying "Ana Hashem Hoshea Na" and "Ana Hashem Hatzlicha Na." Finally, we screamed out "Shma Yisroel Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad!" There are no words to describe the feeling at that moment except, perhaps, for the words chosen by one of the chevra to describe that moment: "We rocked Shamayim." When the moment was over, we had a nice rikud. No one was able to take out a phone to film the davening, but [here] is a video of a portion of the dancing [coming soon].</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After we took a group picture on the steps of Me'aras Hamachpela, our fearless organizer, Yitzchak Mordechai Feder, told us that Rabbi Hochbaum was trying to raise $10,000 to build much needed bathrooms for Chevron residents and run a summer program for the children of Chevron to give them chizuk in their pressure-filled life because of the area in which they live. He then began taking pledges and reached over $11,000 in approximately 60 seconds. It was gevaldik! Many people made their payments right then and there, rather than relying on their memory to fulfill their pledges later. It was a beautiful moment and a great conclusion to a very, very high visit to Chevron and Me'aras Hamachpela.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We have a partial video <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ravmosheweinberger/videos/859014864174182/">here</a>, but here is a longer video of the dancing after the Tehillim and tefilos at the end of our visit to Me'aras Hamachpela:</div><br /><span style="text-align: justify;">[Coming Soon]</span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>Shabbos in Yerushalayim</b></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We took taxis to the Kosel in time to finish mincha before candle lighting time in Yerushalayim. We davened mincha in the Kosel plaza, but had to go into the interior area of the Kosel because one of the groups behind us was too loud for us to hear ourselves. We had a beautiful kabbolos Shabbos and Maariv led by Yitzy Halpern. Many people of all stripes, including chassidim, tourists, and everything in between joined with us. The dancing and Lecha Dodi was great. A non-observant father and two sons from San Diego davened with us and a couple of us helped them keep up with the pages in an Artscroll siddur. It turned out that the younger son was there for his bar mitzva and, in the middle of Maariv, blurted out to one of the chevra, "This is awesome!" IY"H, our davening was a kiddush Hashem not only for us but for those around us as well.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There were two other amazing things about davening with Rav Weinberger at the Kosel. First, a lot of old friends came to meet us there, so we saw former members who had made aliyah, and other long-time fans and chassidim of Rebbe. The second was the fact that wherever we went, it was obvious that Rav Weinberger is someone big because all people saw was a group of thirty men following closely behind a holy looking rabbi. So everywhere we went, people asked members of the chevra, "Who is that?" and then gave a knowing look when the answer was "Rav Moshe Weinberger."</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shabbos morning many people davened in the shul in the hotel. Others davened in a shul on the ground floor of a nearby apartment building. And another small group joined Aish Kodesh's friend Chaim Dovid at a small minyan at the Kosel led by an elderly Lelover chossid and mekubal, Rav Scheinberger. The chevra all got aliyos so they could say Hagomel and then went with everyone in the minyan to Rav Scheinberger's apartment in the Old City for kiddush and a drasha. One of the guys had a personal matter about which Chaim Dovid requested a bracha from Rav Scheinberger. Rather than giving a bracha, the Rav gave very specific directions regarding a specific series of actions the person was to take as a segulah to help with his issue. It was very intense. The guys by Rav Scheinberger were very eclectic ranging from chassidim to misnachalim types, to Americans and others. We sat very close to Rav Scheinberger and he was very friendly, asked us about ourselves and our Rav (he was familiar with Rav Weinberger) and wanted to make sure we ate everything we were served at the table.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Following kiddush and Rav Scheinberger's drasha, the Aish Kodesh chevra enjoyed a tour of Chaim Dovid's home and the beautiful view from his roof overlooking the Kosel and the Old City, including a number of beautiful Jewish homes in the "Muslim Quarter" which sported large, flowing Israeli flags. As he walked us out back toward our hotel, we met Motti Dan, one of the major figures at Ateret Kohanim, a group which purchases property in the "Muslim Quarter" of the Old City, Silwan, and other parts of Yerushalayim. It was fascinating to walk with him and see his home in the middle of the Arab neighborhood and other nearby Jewish buildings smack in the middle of that area, each sporting large, beautiful Israeli flags. The whole Shabbos morning was one adventure after another. Baruch Hashem!</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shabbos afternoon at shalosheudos, Rebbe spoke about many things, including the "<a href="http://www.breslev.co.il/articles/breslev/customs_and_thought/hungarian_wine.aspx?id=17448&amp;language=english">Hungarian Wine</a>" we had tasted during the trip and pressed us to consider how we would bring what we gained back to Woodmere to lift up the community and not allow the effect of the experience to be lost. Ephrayim Nudman, our faithful president, adjured the chevra to think about this when he spoke at one of the Shabbos seudos. So people should please continue discussing this after the trip is over!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Melaveh Malka on Netiv Areye Roof Overlooking Kosel with Shlomo Katz</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KQcpCK0tEo/VXtbc3RHj1I/AAAAAAAAFhw/bbA4zjMD_UM/s1600/11430129_1071832319498129_7282513902086265206_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KQcpCK0tEo/VXtbc3RHj1I/AAAAAAAAFhw/bbA4zjMD_UM/s400/11430129_1071832319498129_7282513902086265206_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were zoche to have a Melaveh Malka led by Reb Shlomo Katz. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shlomo.katz/posts/10155626186245497">Here</a> are a few pictures of Rebbe with Shlomo. Some very great tzadikim and talmidei chachamim joined us as well. First, Rav Shlomo Bussu, who Rav Weinberger goes to for guidance, joined us for almost the entire Melaveh Malka, which is remarkable because he measures every single second with precision and rarely leaves his established schedule of Torah, avodah, and helping other Jews.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.breslov.com/Maimon/">Rav Nosson Maimon</a> of the Breslov Research Center was also there. In addition, <a href="http://yna.edu/index.php/torah/55-pages/64-harav-yoel-rakovsky">Rav Yoel Rakovsky</a>, a rebbe at Netiv Areye and mashpia to a number of the Aish Kodesh "yutes," was there. We were also happy to see <a href="http://www.israel-music.com/chaim_dovid/">Chaim Dovid</a> there as he's a good friend of Rebbe and the shul, There were so many other great people there and old friends of the shul who came out to the Old City.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">An mp3 of Rebbe's shiur from the Melaveh Malka, which was so moving and included some incredible stories, <a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837289/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/Tzaadikim_Trip_-_Melave_Malka_">can be heard here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Click here for a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/120799927934711/videos/1071828646165163/">video of a portion of the Melaveh Malka</a> which was circulated widely on Facebook and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1071833276164700&amp;id=120799927934711">here</a> for some pictures. And click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/464378687028017/videos/667493933383157/?fref=nf">here</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/464378687028017/videos/667667043365846/?fref=nf">here</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/464378687028017/videos/667519993380551/?fref=nf">here</a> for few videos taken from a nearby rooftop of our Melaveh Malka!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's a video of the whole Melaveh Malka:</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0QAeVWb-5jA?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br /></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the Melaveh Malka was over, at about 1:30 am, Rav Weinberger walked to the Kosel with a group of people from the Melaveh Malka to say Tikkun Leah of the Tikkun Chatzos. <a href="https://youtu.be/0csHIToxrWU">Here is a video</a>&nbsp;of a portion of that. After that, as noted above, people around the Kosel took note of the Rav wearing a shtreimel being followed by a large entourage and they posted a number of pictures, videos, and an article about Rav Weinberger's visit to the Kosel. You can see those here, here, and here.&nbsp;</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Meron, Tiveria</b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Right after davening on our last day in Eretz Yisroel, we left the hotel for good and headed up to Meron to daven by the kever of Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1072086296139398&amp;id=120799927934711">here to see some pictures of that</a>. Following individual tefilos, everyone said Tikun Klali together and then sang "Bar Yochai" and "Amar Rebbi Akiva" with Yosef Karduner. A video of that is here:</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GAQrQX-dJsY" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oSHws4QLWGA/VXtb76FzXKI/AAAAAAAAFh4/dgV2L3i0OrE/s1600/11391361_1072087619472599_2614125354030944209_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oSHws4QLWGA/VXtb76FzXKI/AAAAAAAAFh4/dgV2L3i0OrE/s400/11391361_1072087619472599_2614125354030944209_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Afterward, we went to the home of Menachem Solarsh, who has a beautiful home in Meron, very close to the kever of Rebbi Shimon. Click here for some pictures from that shiur. Mr. Solarsh is the owner of the Uman Inn where we stayed in Uman, so it was a great piece of continuity. Following that, we traveled up to Tzfas and immersed in the mikvah of the Arizal and davned by the kever of the Arizal. Finally, before traveling to the airport, we went to the kevarim of Rebbi Akiva and the Ramchal in Tiveria.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837551/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/Tzaadikim_Trip_-_Rashbi_drasha_in_the_home_of_Menachem_Solarsh_in_Meron#">Here is the mp3</a> of the Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai shiur in Meron.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rebbe gave a beautiful drasha at Mr. Solarsh's house. One small point that he made was an idea he quoted in the name of the Alter Rebbe. He said that while the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash took away the revelation of Hashem's presence from the Jewish people generally, it had no effect on the revelation of the Divine Presence for the greatest tzadikim. The specific tzadikim the Alter Rebbe mentioned were Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the Arizal, and the Baal Shem Tov. He then pointed out how we are so fortunate to be going to visit each of those three tzadikim in one week. Ashreinu!<br /><br /><br />Here is a video of that shiur:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T9c2IA1g44E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">As our last "activity" in Eretz Yisroel before leaving for the airport, following our visit to Meron, the group traveled to Tiveria and davened by the kevarim of Rabbi Akiva, the Ramchal, and the Arizal. Before davening by the Arizal's kever, most of the chevra immersed in the Arizal's mikva which, as cold as it was, was a cinch compared to the Mayan Avraham mentioned above!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837365/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/Tzaadikim_Trip_-_Shuir_by_Rebbe_Akiva-s_Kever_">Here is the mp3</a> of the shiur Rav Weinberger gave by the kever of Rabbi Akiva.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837367/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/Tzaadikim_Trip_-_Story_by_the_Kever_of_the_Ramchal_">And here is the final shiur</a> Rav Weinberger gave during the trip, after davening at the kever of the Ramchal, which included a Baal Shem Tov story illustrating the fact that every Jew goes to the tzadikim, waiting to hear his own story.<br /><br />Finally, here is a beautiful video showing highlights from the entire trip from Betditchev to Tiveria, put together by Sara Mehlman, a powerhouse of a woman, who put together the Ukraine leg of the trip and joined us for several parts of the program in Eretz Yisroel as well:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RKNI4NhDJ_A" width="560"></iframe><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-20720628236751955962015-06-08T19:55:00.002-04:002015-07-15T19:34:10.539-04:00Breslov and Uman - Aish Kodesh Visit to Ukraine and Eretz Yisroel with Rav Moshe Weinberger, Yosef Karduner and Gadi - 6-3-15<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="direction: ltr; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Continuing our summary of the Aish Kodesh trip to the Ukraine and Eretz Yisroel May 31-June 7, 2015 following the <a href="http://dixieyid.blogspot.com/2015/06/berditchev-and-mezhibuzh-aish-kodesh.html">Berditchev and Mezhibuzh</a> parts of the journey, this post summarizes our adventures in Breslov and Uman, Ukraine. <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B38DjycQ_UmGMVF2c3RmVW1vRlU&amp;authuser=0">Download the maareh mekomos sheets for the trip here</a></b>. We came to Rebbe Nosson of Nemerov's kever in Breslov after Mezhibuzh. When we arrived in Uman at about 10 pm on Tuesday night, June 2nd, 2015, we first had dinner at the Uman Inn. &nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3V2nw7c7wSM/VXX7GZ0AJ4I/AAAAAAAAFfI/QOE6nMlAoII/s1600/11392805_1069403743074320_6691443658489852917_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3V2nw7c7wSM/VXX7GZ0AJ4I/AAAAAAAAFfI/QOE6nMlAoII/s400/11392805_1069403743074320_6691443658489852917_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Shiur by Reb Nosson of Breslov</b></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We made the beautiful trek up the hill in Breslov to daven by Reb Nosson's kever.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069496513065043&amp;id=120799927934711"> Here are some pictures from that</a>. And <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069403779740983&amp;id=120799927934711">here are a couple more</a>. The location was truly beautiful as well, definitely the most physically beautiful place we saw in Ukraine.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837103/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/By_the_Kever_of_Reb_Nosson_of_Nemrov">HERE</a> is the mp3 of the shiur.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Watch the video of the shiur here:</span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-FRleNkigEE" width="560"></iframe></span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And <a href="https://youtu.be/7fuhTUvDuik">here is a video</a> of a little bit of the dancing with Reb Yosef Karduner and Gadi after the shiur, including another shot of the amazing view from Rebbe Nosson's ohel:</span></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7fuhTUvDuik" width="560"></iframe></span></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br /></b></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KccP3wD-xq8/VXYkwPzoL4I/AAAAAAAAFfg/Se27O-pARu8/s1600/11391409_1069741319707229_3377588879977293169_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KccP3wD-xq8/VXYkwPzoL4I/AAAAAAAAFfg/Se27O-pARu8/s400/11391409_1069741319707229_3377588879977293169_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>The Tziyun of Rebbe Nachman in Uman</b>:</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">After davening by the tziyun of Rebbe Nachman in Uman, the chevra said Tikun Klali together, led by Yosef Karduner, followed by a rikud. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069655086382519&amp;id=120799927934711">Here </a>are some pictures from that.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Click <a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837134/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/Bus_Ride_to_Berditchev_-_1_">HERE</a> to download the mp3 audio of the shiur Rav Weinberger gave by the tziyun in the afternoon. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069742769707084&amp;id=120799927934711">Here are some pictures</a> from the shiur.&nbsp;&nbsp;And click here to see a <a href="https://youtu.be/XBcl8rpqYTs">beautiful video&nbsp;of some rikudim</a> to the music of Yosef Karduner and Gadi after the shiur.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Watch the video of the shiur:</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M-w4JECgjlk" width="560"></iframe></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jgtJsO3B4To/VXX5AAM24gI/AAAAAAAAFfA/xGc_AuRHSsc/s1600/11402438_1069871456360882_298338071853420368_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jgtJsO3B4To/VXX5AAM24gI/AAAAAAAAFfA/xGc_AuRHSsc/s400/11402438_1069871456360882_298338071853420368_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aish Kodesh Group picture in Sophia Park in Uman, Ukraine</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Sophia Park</b></span><br /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had a beautiful time in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sofiyivsky_Park">Sophia Park</a>, a botanical garden created by the Polish noble Count Potocki&nbsp;as a&nbsp;gift for his wife in 1796, where it is said that Rebbe Nachman did hisbodedus before his death in Uman (which was in 1810). <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069819383032756&amp;id=120799927934711">Here</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069812486366779&amp;id=120799927934711">here</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069871553027539&amp;id=120799927934711">here</a> are some pictures from that visit.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>The Visit</b></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our visit to Uman was noticed by many people who saw how many people were going to see Rav Weinberger speak. A Hebrew Breslov website even <a href="http://www.umanshalom.co.il/html/news/uman_news/uman_news1/uman1475.html">had an article and pictures</a> about our visit. There were a couple of people who had set up mattresses in Rebbe Nachman's tziyun and were still sleeping when Rebbe gave the above-linked (afternoon) two hour shiur. At one point, one of the guys woke up and got out of bed to go wash. He looked quite amused and surprised to see a shiur with 40 listeners going on in his "bedroom!"&nbsp;</span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">On our last night in Uman, Yosef Karduner and Gadi Pugatch (on violin) graced us with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069879199693441&amp;id=120799927934711">a beautiful Melaveh Malka</a>. &nbsp;Here is a <a href="https://youtu.be/hXImhooNpCo">video of part of it</a>. The amazing thing is that at the very end of the trip in Eretz Yisroel, Yoni and Sarah Melman, who made so much of the arrangements for every detail of the trip, gave out a remastered CD of the music from the Melaveh Malka, along with a "We Rocked Shamayim" magnet in remembrance of our amazing experience in Me'aras Hamachpela. It was so nice.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://dixieyid.blogspot.com/2015/06/eretz-yisroel-aish-kodesh-journey-to.html">Click here</a> to continue reading about our adventures in Eretz Yisroel!</div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-65724035387786193582015-06-08T19:54:00.002-04:002015-10-19T11:03:28.944-04:00Berditchev and Mezhibuzh - Aish Kodesh Ukraine/Israel 2015 - Shiurim/Pictures/Videos - With Rav Moshe Weinberger<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8y9dFHy-SLE/VXYkcOYWXeI/AAAAAAAAFfY/hw0wxXQIPMM/s1600/11377236_1069496873065007_8062430891856708801_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8y9dFHy-SLE/VXYkcOYWXeI/AAAAAAAAFfY/hw0wxXQIPMM/s400/11377236_1069496873065007_8062430891856708801_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">About 30 Aish Kodesh members (not all of whom live in Woodmere) headed out to visit kivrei tzadikim with our Rebbe, Rav Moshe Weinberger, on Sunday May 31, 2015 from JFK. We were supposed to fly into Paris and then make a connection to Kiev, flying Air France the whole way. Because of weather problems in New York, the first flight was delayed 2.5 hours and everyone <a href="https://www.facebook.com/120799927934711/photos/a.1012868798727815.1073741828.120799927934711/1068726126475415/?type=1">missed their flight to Kiev</a>. Hashem always places obstacles in the way of one's efforts to connect to true tzadikim!</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most people were able to get onto a direct Air France flight to Kiev 7 hours later. Two people got a flight to Amsterdam with a 4.5 hour layover before heading to Kiev and one person got a direct flight to Kiev before everyone else on Ukranian International Airlines. Hooray! Much of the chevra with the Paris layover travled around to see Paris (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1068806956467332&amp;id=120799927934711">pictures</a>) and the two fellows with the Amsterdam layover saw downtown and the Anne Frank House (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1068808826467145&amp;id=120799927934711">pictures</a>).</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w_gl2I7z6AA/VXYnNTT8rnI/AAAAAAAAFgA/G4xArw2pFAk/s1600/11391413_1069101366437891_8909410779671257498_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w_gl2I7z6AA/VXYnNTT8rnI/AAAAAAAAFgA/G4xArw2pFAk/s400/11391413_1069101366437891_8909410779671257498_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ultimately, even getting to Kiev 10 hours later than planned, the group made up for lost time by traveling, davening, and learning throughout the night so virtually nothing on the itinerary was left out (except sleep). Ultimately, we owe Yoni and Sara Mehlman, who traveled with us and made all the arrangements, and Yitzchak Mordechai Feder who organized things on the Woodmere end, for working tirelessly to make all arrangements throughout the trip.&nbsp;</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">On to the exciting part; Rav Moshe Weinberger's shiurim before each of the kivrei tzadikim. <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B38DjycQ_UmGMVF2c3RmVW1vRlU/edit?usp=docslist_api"><b>First, you should&nbsp;download this pdf of all of the maareh mekomos we used on the trip</b></a>. Rav Weinberger refers to these and learns through them in virtually all of the shiurim that will take place on this trip.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Between the Kiev airport and Berditchev, Rav Weinberger gave over two shiurim in advance of our visit to Reb Levi Yitzchak ben Sarah Sasha's kever and we made a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/120799927934711/photos/a.1012868798727815.1073741828.120799927934711/1068973809783980/?type=1">gas station stop</a>.&nbsp;</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-paSVOc9EpXc/VXYlvYOwTJI/AAAAAAAAFfw/yr7i0dogNBo/s1600/10731174_1069137296434298_138348887256857460_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-paSVOc9EpXc/VXYlvYOwTJI/AAAAAAAAFfw/yr7i0dogNBo/s400/10731174_1069137296434298_138348887256857460_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>First Pre-Reb Levi Yitzchak shiur</b>:&nbsp;</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Click <a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837134/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/Bus_Ride_to_Berditchev_-_1_">HERE</a> to download the mp3 audio of the shiur.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Watch the video of the shiur (please forgive the background noise and shaking due to the fact that the shiur was in a moving bus!):</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YByg2ksH5tc?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Second Pre-Reb Levi Yitzchak shiur</b>:</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Click <a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837135/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/Bus_Ride_to_Berditchev_-_2">HERE</a> to download the mp3 audio of the shiur.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Watch the video of the shiur (please forgive the background noise and shaking due to the fact that the shiur was in a moving bus!):</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1JRCxemM8KQ" width="560"></iframe></span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Short Shiur by the Tziyun of Reb Levi Yitzchak</b>:</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It is difficult to describe the energy at Reb Levi Yitzchak's kever. It was the first place we visited during the trip and watching Rebbe there was beyond words. So I will not attempt to describe it. You'll just have to talk to one of the participants about that. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069305953084099&amp;id=120799927934711">Here are some pictures</a> from our visit to Reb Levi Yitzchok's tziyun (and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069069763107718&amp;id=120799927934711">here are a couple more</a>).</span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Click <a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837074/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/By_the_Kever_of_Reb_Levi_Yitzchak#">HERE</a> to download the mp3 audio of the shiur. And you can click here and here to see pictures from that visit.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EurWX7NhU-Q/VXYlLk7OPTI/AAAAAAAAFfo/-ATkgGjxeY0/s1600/11393259_1069497099731651_4355670297357004076_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EurWX7NhU-Q/VXYlLk7OPTI/AAAAAAAAFfo/-ATkgGjxeY0/s400/11393259_1069497099731651_4355670297357004076_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Short Shiur by the Tziyun of the Baal Shem Tov</b>:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">First, after arriving and davening Shacharis at the Heichal Habaal Shem Tov, our good friend Yosef Karduner met the chevra and, along with Gadi Pugatch on the violin, led the chevra in some dancing after davening. <a href="https://youtu.be/_FXLcUO-Wcw">Here is a short clip</a> of some of that dancing and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069136389767722&amp;id=120799927934711">here are some pictures</a>.</span></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Click <a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837103/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/By_the_Kever_of_Reb_Nosson_of_Nemrov">HERE</a> to download the mp3 audio of the brief shiur by the tziyun.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://youtu.be/SydWTzc3NlA">Here is a short video</a> from our dancing after the shiur. Also, you can see some pictures from our visit to Mezhibuzh <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069497379731623&amp;id=120799927934711">here</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1069305953084099&amp;id=120799927934711">here</a>.&nbsp;</div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_CkQmGEgUI/VXYmdP8Fi-I/AAAAAAAAFf4/GkOlfEoIZdw/s1600/IMG-20150608-WA008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_CkQmGEgUI/VXYmdP8Fi-I/AAAAAAAAFf4/GkOlfEoIZdw/s400/IMG-20150608-WA008.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Shiur on the Baal Shem Tov Given in the Reconstructed Baal Shem Tov Shul - Part 1</b>:</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Click HERE [coming soon] to download the mp3 audio of the shiur.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Watch the video of the shiur:</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0x_812qcutw" width="560"></iframe></span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Yosef Karduner on guitar and Gadi on the violin led the chevra in a rikud after Rav Weinberger's shiur. <a href="https://youtu.be/SydWTzc3NlA">Here are a couple of minutes</a> of that beautiful rikud.</span></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Shiur on the Baal Shem Tov Given in the Reconstructed Baal Shem Tov Shul - Part 2</b>:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Click <a href="http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/837138/Rabbi_Moshe_Weinberger/Tzaadikim_Trip_-_By_the_Kever_of_the_Baal_Shem_Tov_2">HERE</a> to download the mp3 audio of the shiur.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Watch the video of the shiur (please forgive the background noise and shaking due to the fact that the shiur was in a moving bus!):</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">[Coming Soon - Please check back every few days - this video will IY"H be added]</span></div></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Click <a href="http://x.vindicosuite.com/click/fbfpc=1;v=5;m=3;l=401071;c=776283;b=3368032;dct=http%3A//dixieyid.blogspot.com/2015/06/breslov-and-uman-aish-kodesh-visit-to.html">HERE</a> to continue on to our adventures in Breslov and Uman!</span></div><div><div><div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-75315654282910239252015-05-26T08:30:00.000-04:002015-05-26T11:09:40.473-04:00Five Towns Shabbaton for Former & Questioning "Chareidim" - Includes Shiur/Q&A with Rav Moshe Weinberger!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlUSezT3Y_s/VV-P5NgoMcI/AAAAAAAAFb8/waPLJosiiWs/s1600/Shabbaton-C-791x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlUSezT3Y_s/VV-P5NgoMcI/AAAAAAAAFb8/waPLJosiiWs/s400/Shabbaton-C-791x1024.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is a fascinating <a href="http://jewinthecity.com/2015/05/register-now-for-makom-shabbaton-june-12-13-2015/">Shabbaton</a> for a truly under served group of Jews coming up in the Five Towns parshas Shelach, June 12-13. That group of people includes those who grew up in either chassidish or right-wing Litvish communities who have found that the way they grew up is not right for their shoresh neshama, their particular nature.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some who fit this description may have "gone off the derech" in the vernacular. Some may have partly left the observance they grew up with and others may not have left it at all and may still live in the same type of community in which they grew up, but feel like strangers in their own neighborhoods.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The problem many people from this background face is that they may have a hard time accepting that anything other than the Yiddishkeit with which they grow up is really Yiddishkeit at all.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many people adopt their community's belief that theirs is the only "true" Yiddishkeit. Accordingly, they feel that if the Yiddishkeit they grew up with is not for them, then Yiddishkeit generally is not for them. This is exemplified by one now-non-observant Skverer chassid who&nbsp;<a href="http://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/_blog/The_ProsenPeople/post/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-hasidim/">recently wrote an article</a> explaining why those who embrace a different type of chassidus than what he grew up with are not <i>real</i> chassidim at all.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Because this particular problem is based on a misconception about what Yiddishkeit actually is, Allison Josephs (of <a href="http://jewinthecity.com/">Jew in the City</a> fame), Mindy Schaper and Gavriella Lerner started a program they call <a href="http://jewinthecity.com/project-makom/">Project Makom</a>. &nbsp;The purpose of the program is to provide programs, information, Shabbos hospitality, mentorship, and other resources for those "former and questioning chareidim" who are open to learning about other options within orthodoxy besides the one they grew up with. (In case there is any doubt, the purpose of the program is not to "lure" anyone away from their community of origin. As I understand it, Project Makom is geared toward those who have already come to believe [or are seriously considering the possibility] that the community in which they grew up may not be right for them.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a major part of this effort, they are holding a Shabbaton in less than three weeks in the Five Towns, in Long Island, NY, on June 12-13, parshas Shelach. They will have speakers like <a href="http://pesachsheini.blogspot.com/">Pesach Sommer</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mtsinaishul.com/dena-block.html">Yoetzet Dena Bloch</a>. Others will address the important distinctions between minhag, Deoraisa, and Derabanan. And several former chareidim will speak in a panel on how they transitioned out of the communities in which they grew up into other frum communities. The Shabbaton will mainly take place in Cedarhurst.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm most excited about the fact that the Shabbaton participants will be trekking over to Woodmere Shabbos afternoon to hear <u><b>Rav Moshe Weinberger speak on: The Difference Between Chassidus and Modern Chassidic Culture.</b></u>&nbsp;The really great opportunity for the participants is that <u><b>after the shiur, they will have the opportunity to ask Rav Weinberger questions during a Question-and-Answer session</b></u>.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So if you grew up in a chassidish or far-right Litvish community (whether you're currently still halacha-observant or not and whether you're currently still in that community or not),&nbsp;<a href="http://form.jotform.us/form/51227709350149">CLICK HERE</a> to sign up for the Shabbaton!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-62220141463759381822015-02-10T12:54:00.003-05:002015-02-10T12:55:35.648-05:00As a Favor to Dixie Yid, Please Read!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Howdy y'all! I want to ask you to read something about my son's cheder, Siach Yitzchak, which is an amazing place, with the hopes that you will <a href="http://minivanraffle.org/pledge.html">buy a raffle ticket</a> (and write my name in the "Referred By" box) to support the school. The drawing will be this Sunday, Feb. 15th, though that date will probably be extended a bit. Tickets are $100 for one ticket and $360 for five. The prize is a choice between (i) $20,000 cash or (ii) $25,000 toward a Sefer Torah, a trip to Israel for 10, or a new car.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I wrote the last <a href="http://dixieyid.blogspot.com/2013/01/personal-request-by-dixie-yid.html">two</a> <a href="http://dixieyid.blogspot.com/2014/01/as-favor-to-dixie-yid-please-read-this.html">years</a>, Siach Yitzchak is unlike almost any other yeshiva that I have heard of. Please see those links to prior posts where I detailed a few examples of things that show how Reb Dovid Sitnick (who was appointed to head the cheder by its founder, Rav Shlomo Freifeld) has created a cheder in which the boys experience how Yiddishkeit and Torah are the most precious things in the world. <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe/status/563421783345598464">My son</a> is now in fourth grade and has been in the cheder since he was three years old. In addition to the observations I related in my previous posts about the cheder, here are a few more&nbsp;examples of things which I feel make Siach Yitzchak stand out as such an unusual and special place:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div style="text-align: justify;">My daughter told me that, as my wife was dropping our son off at school after one of the major snowstorms in the past couple of weeks, she observed Rabbi Seide, the&nbsp;educational director of the cheder, lifting as many boys as he could over the huge pile of snow on the side of the road as they came to school. </div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;">The rebbeim truly care about the boys and it comes across in everything. My son's rebbe from Pre-1-A (4 years ago) sat down with him the other day to ask him about his recent extra-curricular Mishnayos learning (with me) and discussed with him ideas on what to learn next! </div></li><li>At PTA conferences last month, our son's rebbe advised us, when reviewing each day's kriah homework with our son, that we should go back to make sure he understands the words he had a problem with. But he added that the homework should not take more than about 20 minutes. He told us we should stop in the middle if it does because beyond that, it will just drive him crazy and it will become counterproductive. </li><li>The previous example, along with the energy and excitement the rebbeim put in, show that their entire focus is on giving the kids not just technical learning skills, but, even more importantly, a love for learning and a feeling of satisfaction from it.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />With all of the lack of excitement about Yiddishkeit and the focus on externals that we see are so prevalent in some yeshivos, I feel so blessed that we have merited to find and be able to send our son to a cheder like this. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a favor, I therefore ask you to please go right away to <a href="http://minivanraffle.org/pledge.html">buy a raffle ticket</a> before the end of the day this Sunday, February 15th! Thank you!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>In the <a href="http://minivanraffle.org/pledge.html">website form</a>, please write "Dixie Yid" or my real name (if you know it)&nbsp;in the "Referred By" box. If you feel more comfortable, you can also call the cheder's office number (718-327-6247)&nbsp;to give them your credit card info or you can give it to me at 516-668-6397 and I can take care of it for you.</strong> Note that the system allows you to&nbsp;pay for&nbsp;the ticket(s) all at once or split it up over 4 payments. Shkoyach!!</div><br /><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-10911537447432838042014-12-31T08:00:00.000-05:002014-12-31T10:53:57.918-05:00Alex Clare - Eli Beer - Zusha: Video of Woodmere Melaveh Malka<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Eliav and his Rebbetzin Ruchie Frei brought together some of the deepest musical brothers for a Melaveh Malka at his home after Shabbos 12/27/2014. It was so beautiful.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Eli Beer (<a href="http://www.elibeer.com/">http://www.elibeer.com/</a>)created the musical gravity around which the evening revolved and the unique sound of Zusha (<a href="http://www.zusha.com/">http://www.zusha.com/</a>) (Elisha Mendl Mlotek [precussion], Zachariah “Juke” Goldshmiedt [guitar] &amp; Shlomo Ari Gaisin [vocals]) brought everyone to a very deep place.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">We also merited to have a very special guest as well, Alex Clare (</span></span></span><a class="yt-uix-redirect-link" dir="ltr" href="http://alexclare.com/" rel="nofollow" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; color: #167ac6; cursor: pointer; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://alexclare.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">http://alexclare.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">), who was in New York after the tail end of his current U.S. tour but before the beginning of the European leg of the tour. He shared beautiful Torah and stories from a recent tour, as well as his own music. It goes without saying that he has a deep soul and it was a pleasure to sing with him.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">And as if that weren't enough, Rav Moshe Weinberger, a rebbe to everyone present, came for a good portion of the Melaveh Malka.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #333333; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I created a full-length video of the whole Melaveh Malka, as well as separate videos for each artist. The full length video is first below, and then the separate videos for each of the artists are below that. Enjoy and share!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NPwXh-lMd6c" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jxTDZhHgMG0?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1De-MDDPFFY?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hXONJoESUho?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-9195148364645920612014-11-06T13:44:00.001-05:002014-11-06T13:44:39.341-05:00Video From Eli & Dina Beer's Sheva Brachos Thursday Night (10/30/14)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/quCoCrjUmdY" width="560"></iframe></div><br />I'm happy to share this video of Eli and Dina Beer's sheva brachos, hosted by the holy couple, Ruchie and Eliav Frei, in Woodmere, NY! Eli grabbed his guitar and led the niggunim much of the time and shared a many Torahs and stories. Quite awesome.<br /><br />Eli is known for his song/video Ve'yiyu Rachamecho: <a class="yt-uix-redirect-link" dir="ltr" href="http://youtu.be/1P2Ou-K2hQU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://youtu.be/1P2Ou-K2hQU">http://youtu.be/1P2Ou-K2hQU</a>.<br /><br />And here is a video of Eli's amazing Halel from Rosh Chodesh Adar II from earlier this year: <a class="yt-uix-redirect-link" dir="ltr" href="http://youtu.be/KyGjupqPNfU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://youtu.be/KyGjupqPNfU">http://youtu.be/KyGjupqPNfU</a>.<br /><br />The video was taken by the inimitable Dov Perkal. Here is the info on the camera and lighting equipment he used:<br /><br />Canon EOS 70D<br />Canon lens 18-55 mm<br />Polaroid 320 Vari-Temp Super Bright LED Light<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-39105971786941823392014-09-05T12:21:00.001-04:002014-09-05T12:21:59.117-04:00The Story of the Chozeh of Lublin and the Barber - The Power of Sacrificing for Another<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Here is the story of the Chozeh of Lublin and the barber, as retold by Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita,&nbsp;in the name of Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt"l, at the Hilula (yohrtzeit celebration) for the Tzadik, Reb Kalonymous Kalmish Shapira in 2010, held by Cong. Aish Kodesh of Woodmere:<br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt”l, told the following story of the Chozeh, the Seer, of Lublin: The Chozeh needed a haircut before Yom Tov like anyone else. But everyone knew about the Chozeh’s spiritual sensitivity and were afraid to touch the Chozeh’s head, lest he be unworthy and somehow disturb the Rebbe’s holiness. All of the barbers in Lublin spent several days before each Yom Tov fasting, praying, and doing teshuva in the hopes that whoever the Chozeh chose for his haircut would be worthy enough that the Chozeh could tolerate his haircut.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Just before one particular Yom Tov, the Chozeh’s assistants, as usual, gave notice to the barbers to begin preparing themselves to cut the Rebbe’s hair. When the day arrived, the barbers lined up outside of the Chozeh’s room. The first barber approached the Rebbe’s chair. But when he touched the Rebbe’s head, although the Rebbe did not intend to insult him, he cried out in pain. He quickly left the room, feeling horrible that he had hurt the Rebbe. The other barbers saw how quickly he left, without giving a haircut, and they became even more afraid. The second barber went into the room and the same thing happened. As soon as he touched the Rebbe’s head, the Rebbe screamed out in pain. The process repeated itself until they ran out of barbers. They did not know what to do in order to arrange a haircut for the Rebbe for Yom Tov.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">But someone told one of the Rebbe’s assistants that he saw a strange looked Jew on the streets of Lublin, a traveler, who carried a sign around his neck that said, “I’m a barber and a little bit of a doctor.” After discussing the matter among themselves, they concluded that it was worthwhile to at least try to determine whether this Jew could cut the Rebbe’s hair. Perhaps he was an upright person. When they approached the man about cutting the Chozeh’s hair, they asked him whether he knew whose hair he was about to cut. He said that the did not but that it did not matter. He was capable of cutting anyone’s hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They told him that they were about to bring him to cut the hair of the Chozeh of Lublin. Unfazed, he answered, “Okay, everyone needs a haircut. So does the rabbi. And I’m a barber. No problem. Please bring me to him.” He entered the Rebbe’s room without any preparation.&nbsp;<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">The man and the Chozeh looked at one another and the Rebbe saw the barber’s little sign and smiled. It seemed the Chozeh already liked this barber. He took out his old scissors and the Rebbe’s assistants began covering their eyes, not relishing the scream they were about to hear. But when the barber touched the Rebbe’s head, he sighed and said, “A <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mechaya</i>, a pleasure!” And with every single snip, the Rebbe continued to enjoy himself, repeatedly saying, “a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mechaya</i>!” And as soon as the haircut was over, the man simply left.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">The Rebbe’s assistants followed him, “Sir, sir! Can we ask who you are? Where are you from?” But he simply answered, “You can see on my sign. I am a barber.” Apparently, he did not want to say anything about himself. They formulated a plan, however, to find out more about him. They invited him to a local establishment that served alcoholic beverages. Once he had enjoyed a couple of drinks and they saw that he was in a good mood, they asked<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>him again, “Tell us who you are. When every other barber in Lublin touched the Rebbe’s hair, he screamed out in pain, but when you cut his hair, it was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mechaya</i>. We have never seen anything like that. What is your story?<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Even with a couple of drinks, however, he did not want to talk about himself. But they persisted and asked him repeatedly, “Tell us about yourself? Who are you?” Finally, the barber stood up, pulled up the back of his shirt, and they saw that his entire back was covered with horrible, disgusting welts. They chassidim recoiled and asked him, “What happened? What is that?” So he told them the following story:</div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">I travel from place to place. I am a barber and a little bit of a barber. I cut people’s hair and do what I can for them. In one town I went to, I saw some sort of commotion. When I approached, I saw that the non-Jewish authorities were dragging a man away from his family and his wife and children were screaming. I asked someone standing there what happened and they told me that something had been stolen in the town. And as the authorities always did, they blamed the Jews and grabbed the first Yid they found. They were going to take him away and give him 100 lashes for his “crime.” The man was so skinny and small that I realized he would die. He would not be able to survive. <o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">And because I am a little bit of a doctor, I figured that I am healthy and somewhat stronger so that I would probably survive 100 lashes. Also, no one would marry me anyway. I have no wife or children. And even if I am wrong and I die of my injuries, at least I would not leave behind a widow and orphans as this man would. So I walked over to the police and told them, “You have the wrong man. I did it.” I was a strong man and I truly thought I could handle it. But those wicked people beat me with such strength that after ten lashes I was sure that I was going to die. I cried out to Hashem, “You know I am not doing this for myself. I am doing it for this man, his wife, and children. I accepted these lashes only because that man is a Jew and I am a Jew and one must help another Jew. So please Hashem, have mercy and let me<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>not die.”<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">And I do not know how I survived. Every blow felt harder than the one before. But somehow, I endured one hundred lashes. And that is why I walk with a limp and why my back looks this way. But thank G-d, I am alive.<o:p></o:p></div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><br /> When the Chozeh saw this Jew, he saw someone who did not turn away from other Jews. This Jew had every reason to run. But he took a beating for another Jew. The Chozeh felt that in the deepest way. His hands and his entire existence were filled with sacrifice for other Jews.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-51062485555807711282014-07-28T10:24:00.001-04:002014-07-28T10:24:41.566-04:00Translation of Colonel Ofer Winter's Inspiring Letter, read by Rav Moshe Weinberger on Shabbos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pb5PGfVgHKw/U9Zb4FcfVYI/AAAAAAAAFLo/Eaq8WqR-z00/s1600/untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pb5PGfVgHKw/U9Zb4FcfVYI/AAAAAAAAFLo/Eaq8WqR-z00/s1600/untitled.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cp6DbNN1AQU/U9ZbxQSJGzI/AAAAAAAAFLY/9PSPl8F7rxY/s1600/ofer_winter_letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cp6DbNN1AQU/U9ZbxQSJGzI/AAAAAAAAFLY/9PSPl8F7rxY/s1600/ofer_winter_letter.jpg" height="400" width="288" /></a>Rav Moshe Weinberger was in Woodmere for Shabbos and, among other things, he read the widely circulated letter by Colonel Ofer Winter, which inspired and gave moral clarity to our entire people. Pending Rav Weinberger's review of my full write-up of the drasha, here is my translation of Colonel Winter's amazing letter (I included citations to psukim he obliquely referenced):</div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">We have been bestowed a great privilege to command and serve in the Givati Brigade at this time. History has chosen us to be on the cutting edge of the war against the terrorist enemy, the “one of Gaza” [cf. Yehoshua 13:3] who curses, reviles, and defames the G-d of the battalions of Israel. [Cf. Dovid’s encounter with Golias, the Plishti, Shmuel I 17:10, 26, 36, 45.] Let us prepare and ready ourselves for this moment when we accept upon ourselves this mission with a sense of agency and complete humility and with a readiness to put ourselves in danger or give up our lives in order to protect our families, our nation, and our birthplace.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Let us work with resolve and strength and with initiative, strategy, and hard work in our encounter with the enemy. We will do everything we can to fulfill our mission to cut down the enemy and to remove fear from the people of Israel. Our credo is “We do not return before the mission is done.” Let us work and do everything we can to bring back our boys in peace by utilizing every means at our disposal and with any effort that is required.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">I am relying on you, on each and every one of you, to do your duty in this spirit, the spirit of Jewish warriors who go out in in front of the camp. “The spirit which is called ‘Givati.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I lift up my eyes to Heaven and say with you, “Shma Yisrael, Hashem Elokeinu, Hashem Echad.” May Hashem, the G-d of Israel, bring success in our mission in which we stand to do battle for the sake of Your people Israel against the enemy who curses Your Name.<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">In the name of the warriors of the IDF generally, and in particular, in the name of the warriors and commanders of our Brigade, may Hashem act and fulfill in us that which it says in the pasuk, “Hashem your G-d goes out with you to do battle with your enemies for you to save you” [Devarim 20:4], and let us say Amen.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">"Together, and only together, will we be victorious."</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Ofer Winter, Aluf Mishneh</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Commander, Givati Brigade</div><br /><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-48718592495458768532014-07-24T10:45:00.000-04:002014-07-24T10:45:20.710-04:00What the Chareidim Doing During the Gaza War - Nachal Chareidi and Lomdei Torah<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jsoAdoeoNVs/U9EXocHmueI/AAAAAAAAFLA/L1xfbU7zg4U/s1600/article1_5b1fe72021b640a8bf5fab85ccd12246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jsoAdoeoNVs/U9EXocHmueI/AAAAAAAAFLA/L1xfbU7zg4U/s1600/article1_5b1fe72021b640a8bf5fab85ccd12246.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nahal Haredi Chayalim</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> Rabbi Tzvi Klebanow, CEO of the <a href="http://nahalharedi.com/">Nahal Haredi foundation</a>, sent me <a href="http://www.bhol.co.il/article.aspx?id=71348">this article</a> which describes what Nahal Haredi is doing now.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">According to the article, dozens of Netzach Yehuda (the actual name of Nahal Haredi) chayalim have joined the battle in Gaza and many Netzach Yehuda reservists have also joined through other units. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The unit's primary mission, keeping the Jenin and Tulkarem areas in Yehuda and Shomron secure is also continuing. They are handling security there, where periodic rock throwing and riots are breaking out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, Nahal Hareidi employs many rabbonim to serve the chayalim in Netzach Yehuda. And they have called upon the yeshivos and kollelim to dedicate their learning to the success of the IDF&nbsp;in general.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">IY"H, with everyone doing their part, all of the chayalim and all of Am Yisroel will not see any more injured or killed, G-d forbid, and&nbsp; will see success in completely decimating Hamas!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-80436173690325269912014-07-09T22:29:00.000-04:002014-07-10T09:00:25.311-04:00A Pot of Soup - Possible Unfolding of Tomorrow's News - Guest Post by Mrs. Yid<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">My wife, Mrs. Yid., wrote the below piece of fiction as a guest post. This story does not address everything going on in Eretz Yisroel these past 3 plus weeks because it was written before that. But with what's happening, it's even more difficult to hope for the redemption. Hopefully this possible unfolding of the news can help encourage us not to give up hope on Hashem sending Moshiach very very soon.&nbsp;&nbsp;May we be zocheh to see the story fulfilled tomorrow!<br /><br />-Dixie Yid<br /><br />***<br /><br /><div class="s2"><b>A Pot of Soup</b></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">With the Three Weeks approaching, it is a great time to work on being&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">mi</span><span class="s3">t</span><span class="s3">zapeh</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;our&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">yeshuah</span><span class="s3">. For my family I have found that the best way to bring this abstract idea into a more tangible form is by using our&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">koach</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">hadimyon</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;to vividly picture what it will be like when Moshiach comes. I have recounted to my children a variety of possible ways we will see the redemption unfold and have seen how this has allowed them to retain their idealism and hope for&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">geulah</span><span class="s3">. I hope other families can use this strategy as well, especially with what is going on in Eretz Yisroel today and as we approach the Three Weeks and Tisha B'Av. Below is one way I imagine it happening:</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">Disclaimer: When I s</span><span class="s3">aid this was a work of&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">fiction,&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">that</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;was only&nbsp;</span><span class="s4" style="font-style: italic;">partially</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;true.</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;It is fiction,&nbsp;</span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2606399196932045640" name="_GoBack"></a><span class="s3">but&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">be'ezras</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;Hashem, it won't be for long!</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">***</span></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">Where was I? &nbsp;I was at home, making soup. &nbsp; It was a Sunday - I remember that because everyone was home. I wonder if it would have been the same if they&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">weren't?</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;&nbsp;But they were because it was Sunday. I even remember exactly where everyone was. Isn't that weird? My husband and Racheli were in the den just off our kitchen. &nbsp;Ben was writing, and Racheli was reading on the couch; legs crossed, top leg bobbing up and down as she ate chips... after I distinctly remember telling her that she was not allowed to bring food... You know what? - Never mind. &nbsp;Yosef and Tehilla were on the floor playing with Lego, Ruchama was sitting on the counter, mixing the brownie batter, and telling me all about how her&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Morah</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;had brought in a fake parrot that repeated everything the children said and how it was&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">soooooooo</span><span class="s3">funny!&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">And me?</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;I was making soup.</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">I had just turned the flame on when I heard it. &nbsp;</span><span class="s3">A horn blaring.</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;&nbsp;I remember that it startled me because I almost knocked over the rice on the counter. &nbsp;My heart was hammering as I marched over to the window and wondered (with a touch of righteous indignation, I might add) who was honking their horn like that on a residential street?! &nbsp;But before I got to the window, I heard it again. &nbsp;This time, I knew - I just&nbsp;</span><span class="s4" style="font-style: italic;">knew</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;- that it wasn't a car horn at all.</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">Racheli sat up so quickly that her bag of chips spilled out onto the floor. &nbsp;The most mundane thought popped into my mind.&nbsp;</span><span class="s4" style="font-style: italic;">If that's what I think it is, I won't have to clean that up.</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;&nbsp;I walked towards the window and looked out. &nbsp;I heard Binyomin walk up behind me and pull the curtain back. We could see all our neighbors doing the same thing we were. Peeking out and wondering...</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Is that...?" Racheli asked.</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"I think it is!" My husband sai</span><span class="s3">d as he ran back towards toward</span><span class="s3">the desk. &nbsp;We were all still looking outside (I'm still not sure what we expected to see) and the blasts just kept coming! And finally the&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">teikiah</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">gedolah</span><span class="s3">! &nbsp;I'm telling you I felt it everywhere; my eyes, my&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">heart, my teeth!!!&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">You remember how it&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">was, right?! &nbsp;And then silence.&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">We all turned to look to my husband. &nbsp;It was so quiet I could hear the clicks as Ben hopped from one website to the next. Ruchama scrambled off the counter. She had a smear of chocolate on her cheek.</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"Mommy!</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;&nbsp;Is it time!?"</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I don't know... I think."</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"Malka!</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;&nbsp;Come here!!! &nbsp;You have to see this!" &nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">Binyomin had found a live video feed from Eretz Yisroel. &nbsp;People were dancing in the streets!&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Tzitzis</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;flying- men losing hats left and right! One man was using a paper plate as an impromptu&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">yarmulke</span><span class="s3">! But the most beautiful part, and this still makes me tear up - even after all these years - all of them were dancing together! &nbsp;Soldiers and&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">chassidim</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;were linking arms and laughing. &nbsp;You almost couldn't tell who was who - everyone's face was&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">mamash</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;glowing!</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"We need to get there right now," I heard myself say.</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"We're going on an eagle! Are we going on an eagle?" Yosef's</span><span class="s3">peyos</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;were bouncing right along with him. "How are we going to get there?"</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I don't know."</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ben brought our suitcases down from the attic just as I was getting off the phone with the airline. &nbsp;</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"They have 6 seats available but not&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">together. And we're leaving in,</span><span class="s3">" I looked at my watch, "about an hour so everybody start packing!!!" &nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">What were we going to take with us? I, like many others, decided to take the things I could not replace. Not that it would make a difference right? If I knew then what I know now I wouldn't have stressed so much! But at that time I didn't know, so I started by packing our photo albums, and the photos that I hadn't yet put into photo albums, (I really was going to get around to it) a lock o</span><span class="s3">f hair from Yosef's&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">upsherrin</span><span class="s3">, s</span><span class="s3">ome of my</span><span class="s3">children’s</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;projects. &nbsp;By then my suitcase was bursting at the seams and if I wanted to take the silver challah bowl my grandmother gave me I would need to wear it as a hat. I put whatever clothes I could fit in my pocketbook along with our passports and left Binyomin to sort which&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">soforim</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;we would bring.</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">I went upstairs to see how the kids were doing. &nbsp;Not much better than me it seemed. &nbsp;I remember thinking how my children's suitcases said so much about them. &nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Ruchama's</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;was filled with princess dresses, plastic high heels, 2 crowns and a wand. &nbsp;When I suggested she add some "everyday" clothing, she reluctantly tossed in a pair of sneakers and a denim skirt</span><span class="s3">, but the look she gave me told me that I knew nothing about&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">geulah</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;couture</span><span class="s3">. &nbsp;Tehilla was trying to convince Ruchama to give up some room in her suitcase "for the greater good,"</span><span class="s3">- the greater good being her&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">books</span><span class="s3">-</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;but in all fairness she was probably the most practical out of all of us, having&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">filled her suitcase with</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;actual clothes. &nbsp;Yosef was sitting on the floor reading a book about hamsters who take over a pet store. &nbsp;Inside his suitcase was a pair of pants, and one sock. I quickly packed up his clothes because really, what was the point in arguing now? Racheli had carefully packed as many of her models as she could, but the models were very big and there wasn't much room. Still, she managed to pack a decent amount and still had some room left for "necessities." We spent our last few minutes running around shoving&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">various</span><span class="s3">o</span><span class="s3">dds and ends into our suitcases, and then we were off!</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">When we finally boarded the plane, I was completely wiped out, and by the time we took off, I was sleeping. I woke up to a ding!</span><span class="s3">and</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;the voice of a&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">flight attendant</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;telling us that we could now take off our seatbelts. I saw that some of the passengers were already being served their dinner. &nbsp;I leaned over to see what was on the tray...soup...vegetable maybe? Someth</span><span class="s3">ing was niggling at my brain…s</span><span class="s3">omething I forgot... And that's when I remembered the soup! &nbsp;I left it on the flame! I took a deep breath. There was nothing I could do now. &nbsp;It was on low, so</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;this wasn't an urgent matter. &nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Yet.</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;&nbsp;I could text my fr</span><span class="s3">iend from work once we landed.</span><span class="s3">Or call the fire department.&nbsp;</span><span class="s3"></span><span class="s3">Did I lock the door?&nbsp;</span><span class="s4" style="font-style: italic;">Did I even close the door?!</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">I couldn't help but notice that the woman to my right was looking at me. Was I talking to myself? Did I say that out loud? She must think I'm crazy! &nbsp;But no, I looked again and I saw that she looked as if she wanted to say something. &nbsp;Finally she did. "You're Jewish right?&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">And religious?"</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;She didn't wait for me to confirm, but just kept going. "I'm also Jewish, but I don't really know anything - well anything about religion anyway. And I heard that sound today, and I felt...no I knew what I had to do. I had to get to Israel as fast as I could. But I don't know why, but lucky for me I'm sitting next to you! So tell me. Why?" I have to admit I was taken aback. Wow. My first thought was - who am I to answer her questions? But then I heard the voice of&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">one of my teachers in my head.&nbsp;</span><span class="s4" style="font-style: italic;">If you know aleph, teach aleph.</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;&nbsp;And so I did. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">An hour later I was parched. &nbsp;T</span><span class="s3">ara, that was her name, hadn't</span><span class="s3">stop</span><span class="s3">ped</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;asking questions and I hadn't stopped answering them. &nbsp;I got up to get some drinks. As I walked down the&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">aisle</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;I saw the same scene replaying, row after row. &nbsp;It seemed like everyone was either learning or teaching. I saw a little girl teaching an older woman.&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">"</span><span class="s3">Kamatz</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;aleph ah.</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Ah&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">ah</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">ah</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;- now you!"</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;&nbsp;She must have felt me looking at her because she turned around.</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Ruchama?!"</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"Mommy!"</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;I wasn't expecting that.&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">"Mommy!</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;I'm a teacher!!!!! I'm teaching the aleph Beis!!!!!" I'm sure I would have heard more but the&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">flight attendant</span><span class="s3">'s voice came on again.</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"We will begin our decent in approximately ten minutes. &nbsp;Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts." Ten minutes? That was fast.</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">When the plane landed everyone clapped and started singing "</span><span class="s3">Evenu</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;Shalom Aleichem" just like in the old days! &nbsp;Well not old&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">old</span><span class="s3">, but you know. &nbsp;After that, things moved pretty quickly. &nbsp;They didn't even look at our passports. &nbsp;A makeshift&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">absorption</span><span class="s3">center was set up by the baggage carousel in Ben&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Gurion</span><span class="s3">. &nbsp;Families gathered in small clusters waiting for their names to be called. We were all wondering the same thing. Where were we going to go? How would we get there? And of course, when would we finally,&nbsp;</span><span class="s4" style="font-style: italic;">finally!</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">get</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;to see the beis Hamikdash?! &nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"Wolf!" &nbsp;We rolled our suitcases towards a smiling&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">chayalit</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;with curly hair. &nbsp;She reached into her pocket and gave Yosef and Ruchama a lollipop. &nbsp;"Welcome home! How was your flight?" &nbsp;I think we were all too dumbstruck to muster up anything coherent. &nbsp;"This is your host family," she continued, gesturing towards a young Israeli couple standing behind her. &nbsp;"They are going to take you to where you are staying."</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">It was so cool! I know, I know, the word "cool" is pas&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">nischt</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;and even if it weren't, no one says it anymore, but still - that's the only word I could think of to describe the&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">achdus</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;we saw</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;that day</span><span class="s3">! &nbsp;Tens of thousands of Israelis from every part of the religious spectrum had come together and volunteered to help us "</span><span class="s3">chutznikim</span><span class="s3">" get around! &nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Those first steps outside were...unforgettable; the smell! The sun on my face! We piled into the car as quickly as we could and were soon driving down the highway. My children had finally settled down and were waving to the passengers in the other cars. It was quiet, but a comfortable quiet.</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"What's your name?" Tehilla asked. &nbsp;Funny, she was the shy one. &nbsp;</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"I am&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Igal</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;and this is my wife&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Chedva</span><span class="s3">; and you&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">metukah</span><span class="s3">?" &nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Tehilla."</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"Well Tehilla, welcome to Israel.</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;&nbsp;It's beautiful right?"&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Chedva</span><span class="s3">said. &nbsp;Tehilla nodded. I loved their thick Israeli accents; I loved how she put the emphasis on the end of&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Tehilla's</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;name, I loved everything! &nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Where are we going?" I asked. &nbsp;</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">Igal</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;raised his eyebrow, "What do you mean? We are going to your house!"</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We don't have a house. &nbsp;</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I bet you are thinking that you don't have a house..." &nbsp;</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"We&nbsp;</span><span class="s4" style="font-style: italic;">don't</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;have a house," my husband replied. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"</span><span class="s3">Ahhhh</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;but you do! &nbsp;Wait!</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;Wait! &nbsp;You are going to see</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">nissim</span><span class="s3">and&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">niflaot</span><span class="s3">!"</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"But," I could tell my husband was about to ask another questio</span><span class="s3">n, or maybe explain once again&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">(politely of course) that we didn't own a house in Eretz Yisroel when he stopped himself.</span></span></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"Wait a minute! What about the Beis Hamikdash? When will we go there?" I knew what he was thinking. &nbsp;We were already too late. I had told my children about how Hashem would create the third and final beis&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Hamikdash,</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;how it would descend from Heaven and be the most beautiful sight we had ever seen. &nbsp;But we didn't see it. &nbsp;We were in America when that happened and I felt a pang of sadness that we had missed it.</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"What do you mean? It's not here yet!"</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">Binyomin bolted up. "We didn't miss it?&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Then when?</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;I thought..."</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"What do you mean 'miss it'? &nbsp;It will come when all of the Jews arrive!&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Achi</span><span class="s3">, we have been waiting for the&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">geulah</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;for a&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">loooong</span><span class="s3">time. &nbsp;Hashem will not let you miss nothing!" And with that he began humming a tune that sounded so familiar...&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">but&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">I couldn't put my finger on where I had heard it. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">By then all the excitement finally caught up with us, and one by one we fell asleep to the soft bumps in the road, and the sweet sound of&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Igal's</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;voice. Just before I fell asleep I recognized the tune. &nbsp;It was a&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Bresslov</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;traveling&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">nigun</span><span class="s3">.</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">I dreamt. I was in shul everyone was complimenting me on my hat, "Look! Look!" Everyone was saying, and I was strutting around like a peacock with my grandmother's challah bowl on my head thinking,&nbsp;</span><span class="s4" style="font-style: italic;">I should really wear hats more often...</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"Look! Look!! Wake</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;up!" &nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Chedva</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;was shaking me.&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Binyomin's</span><span class="s3">voice came in to my right.</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Malka you are not going to believe this." My eyelids felt like they were glued shut, but somehow I managed to open them. &nbsp;</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">Binyomin was right. I could not believe it. &nbsp;Our house from America was standing right in</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">front of us; just as natural as you please.</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"You left the door open!"&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Igal</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;joked. Indeed I did. &nbsp;"I&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">told you!" He nudged Binyomin,&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">"</span><span class="s3">Nissim</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;and&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Niflaot</span><span class="s3">!"</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"Here is our number, you have a telephone?"&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Chedva</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;asked as she handed me a small piece of paper. I nodded. &nbsp;"When you get settled you will come for Shabbat ok?&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Oy</span><span class="s3">! &nbsp;Don't cry!" &nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Was I crying? I didn't even realize...</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"My wife is a very good cook and everything is&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Mehadrin</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;min ha&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Mehadrin</span><span class="s3">!"</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"Do you want to come in?&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Maybe for a drink?"</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;Racheli offered. &nbsp;It seem</span><span class="s3">e</span><span class="s3">d so strange to be inviting people into a house that had basically just popped into existence!</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"We would love to, but we need to get the next family! But we are going to see each other very soon yes? &nbsp;Call us when you get settled-don't be shy!" He said closing the door to the car, "We are family now!" &nbsp;And without further&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">ado</span><span class="s3">, they were gone. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Thank you!" I called out, even though by now they couldn't hear me. My kids waved until they could no longer see anything but a little puff of dust. &nbsp;</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"Mommy, his name was&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Igal</span><span class="s3">!" Yosef said.</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Yes, I know."</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"Mommy!</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">Igal</span><span class="s3">! &nbsp;Like Eagle?" Oh! &nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"Can you believe this?!" My husband gestured towards the house. &nbsp;We clim</span><span class="s3">b</span><span class="s3">ed the steps and pushed open the door. The potato chips were still on the floor - guess I was going to have to clean up that mess after all. And then the most delightful scent wafted in from the kitchen.</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">"My soup!"</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;I ran to the kitchen and shut off the flame. &nbsp;I absolutely could not believe it. &nbsp;"Everybody get a bowl and a spoon!" Not only did Hashem redeem us, not only did He send such sweet and wonderful people to bring us home, not only did He airmail our beautiful house without a scratch, but waiting for us was a steaming pot of soup! Quite delicious if I do say so myself! Wow. Every time I think about it I get goose</span><span class="s3">&nbsp;</span><span class="s3">bumps!</span></span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><div class="s2"><span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...So where were you?</span></div><div class="s2"><br /></div><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-8674276128150516312014-06-25T05:00:00.000-04:002014-06-25T05:00:05.805-04:00Rabbi Chaim Kramer of Breslov Research Institute Speaking Tonight (Wednesday) in Woodmere<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-equA_SbNHWI/U6nyrJLvKoI/AAAAAAAAFJc/idN8UY-Aueg/s1600/Chaim_Kramer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-equA_SbNHWI/U6nyrJLvKoI/AAAAAAAAFJc/idN8UY-Aueg/s1600/Chaim_Kramer.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Please join Reb Chaim Kramer of the Breslov Research in Woodmere Wednesday (tonight!), </strong><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow" shape="rect"><strong>June 25th</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;at 8 p.m.</strong> Rabbi Kramer will be speaking on the topic of earning a parnassa.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He will speak <strong>at&nbsp;</strong></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>the home of Tzuriel <span class="il">Ross: </span></strong></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow" shape="rect"><strong>863 West Broadway</strong></a>&nbsp;in Woodmere.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span>&nbsp;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As founder of the Breslov Research Institute, Rabbi Chaim Kramer travels the world bringing the wisdom of Rebbe Nachman to countless others. Having been responsible for publishing over 150 titles and counting, Reb Chaim has been the main vehicle to make Rebbe Nachman's teachings available to the world.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-22018112992873754242014-05-29T12:20:00.003-04:002014-05-30T15:50:45.808-04:00Why I'm Going to the Celebrate Israel Parade for the First Time on Sunday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROTZAn3Gz4U/U4dYcAoZL7I/AAAAAAAAFHQ/OnjLha9rjtk/s1600/Israel_Parade_Save_Date.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROTZAn3Gz4U/U4dYcAoZL7I/AAAAAAAAFHQ/OnjLha9rjtk/s1600/Israel_Parade_Save_Date.jpg" height="320" width="251" /></a>My family and I will, IY"H, be at the <a href="http://celebrateisraelny.org/">Celebrate Israel Parade</a> this Sunday (June 1) for the first time. I want to share a few thoughts behind this decision.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />First, it is not because I have undergone any recent change in ideology. I still love the fact that we have a state in Eretz Yisroel built by Jews and hope that it will continually become&nbsp;more alligned with the Torah as time goes on. I still&nbsp;say tachanun on Yom Ha'atzemeut. [Incidently, when I saw what&nbsp;occured on Yom Ha'atzmeut in YU, it appeared to be somewhat haphazard because everybody did different&nbsp;things and no one knew what to do. It left me feeling like the&nbsp;whole thing was somewhat made-up.]&nbsp;I am still grateful to Hashem that His providence has caused&nbsp;the beginning of the ingathering of the exiles and the building of Eretz Yisroel even before Moshiach's arrival. <br />&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Putting aside my natural quality of laziness, I have not felt a strong desire to go to the Israel Parade before because it&nbsp;has always struck me as too modern and/or secular a way of showing appreciation for the Jewish state. And I still basically feel that way, but other things have caused me to want to find new ways to show my support and gratitude to Hashem and the Jewish people for the existence of a thriving State of Israel in Eretz Yisroel.<br />&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76BQm3BP63Q/U4dYgBsR8gI/AAAAAAAAFHc/NIv9jhRJZho/s1600/IsraelParade2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76BQm3BP63Q/U4dYgBsR8gI/AAAAAAAAFHc/NIv9jhRJZho/s1600/IsraelParade2012.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>Here is what has pushed me in the other direction so that I would like to try going to the parade this year. First, I have friends who often go and have told me about the beauty and inspiration of seeing tens of thousands of Jews, from the most secular to those who are very religious, getting together to express their gratitude and love for the same thing. I have heard that there is an incredible positive energy. It is almost unheard of to find secular and religious Jews taking part in something together so I love there idea that we have at least this one thing, the State of Israel, that can bring people together in a positive way. We often find&nbsp;such unity&nbsp;when tragedies like 9/11 or Hurricaine Sandy strike, but almost never for positive things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second thing is the toxic negativity toward the State of Israel and&nbsp;those associated with it, including the IDF, that I very often hear from various parts of my community. It goes without saying that, as a Jew who works to be religious, I recognize that there are many things wrong with the State, its army, and its laws. But there are so many positive, beautiful things happening as well. And&nbsp;so many of even the people who do harmful things are sincerely trying to do what is right as they (albeit wrongly) understand it. <br />&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwwcEFMa_qc/U4dYOd6-jGI/AAAAAAAAFHI/EUhjZcZMDiQ/s1600/BowdBLXCUAAtisH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwwcEFMa_qc/U4dYOd6-jGI/AAAAAAAAFHI/EUhjZcZMDiQ/s1600/BowdBLXCUAAtisH.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>The derech in Torah to which I am drawn is one which sees good in things. Even when Jews do bad things, this derech seeks to avoid whitewashing the bad while still looking beneath the surface to appreciate that those doing it are not inherently evil or malicious, but are simply wrong or confused. A chareidi MK in a recent article in Mishpacha Magazine actually claimed that non-chareidim hate chareidim so much that it would be futile to even attempt to reconcile with, talk with, or even&nbsp;persuade&nbsp;secular Israelis&nbsp;of the correctness of&nbsp;the chareidi&nbsp;position. &nbsp;See my letter to the editor in response to that on the right. Such extreme negativity which blinds itself to seeing any positivity in "the other" pushes me to try even harder to see good in those who are condemned as evil and malicious.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Even drashos speaking against the current government of Israel by tzadikim who I respect and look up to, <a href="http://bilvavi.net/english/droshos-israeli-government-against-torah">like this one</a>, push me to see the good that other tzadikim and my own gut tells me is there. So even though my positions regarding the state have not changed, I am frustrated by the lack of an appreciation for the goodness within Jews whose beliefs and actions may be wrong. And that frustration causes me to look for more ways to see, be grateful for, and celebrate the good.<br /><br /><br />My family is now getting very excited to come to the parade as well. My somewhat vertically challenged oldest daughter (a good Bais Yaakov girl) was a little bit concerned that she would not be able to see anything because of her height, so I suggested that we march in the parade so she wouldn't have to worry about the view. She <em>very</em> much liked that idea, so IY"H, we will be <a href="http://yu.edu/israel-parade/">marching in the Celebrate Israel Parade with YU</a>, my&nbsp;alma mater. &nbsp;Hope to see you there if any of&nbsp; you may be joining! <br /><br /><br />I do not know whether&nbsp;I will come to future parades, but IY"H, may this one reveal more goodness, gratitude, and achdus in as broad a specrum of the Jewish people as possible!<br />&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-24246450217939512772014-05-23T10:53:00.003-04:002014-05-23T10:54:39.142-04:00Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh Author - Rav Itamar Shwartz - U.S. Schedule This Coming Week - Woodmere, Far Rockaway, Monsey, Flatbush, Lakewood, Philly, & Passaic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baruch Hashem, the author of the Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh and Da Es seforim, Rav Itamar Shwartz, will be arriving in the United States on Sunday morning!&nbsp;The Rav&nbsp;will be speaking in Aish Kodesh 9:45 Sunday morning so please come to that! We are still seeking sponsorships in any amount to help the Rav put more of his amazing Torah in print. So please contact me using the email address in the right side-bar if you can help!</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please see below for the Rav's full schedule this week, and please spread the word by email/Facebook/Twitter/etc. Thanks!</span></div><div style="color: darkred; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><strong><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041785" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Sunday</span></span> May 25 - Woodmere – Flatbush – Far Rockaway</strong></u></span></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041786" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">9:45 AM</span></span> Woodmere</strong> Aish Kodesh <em style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">(Men and Women)</em> - 894 Woodmere Place</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041791" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">12:15 PM</span></span> Flatbush</strong> Beit Medresh Bnei Levy - 1950 East 21st Street (btw R and S)</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041792" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">5:00 PM</span></span>&nbsp;Far Rockaway</strong> - Kollel Zichron Ephrayim in the Agudas Yisroel of Long Island 1121 Sage St. - Far Rockaway - Connecting to Hashem Brings Brocho Daily</span></div><div style="color: darkred; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><u><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041793" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Monday</span></span> May 26th - Monsey</u></strong></span></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041794" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">10:30 AM</span></span> Ohr Samayach</strong> <em style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">(Men and Women)</em> How to Make Hashem Feel More Real - with English translation.</span><a href="http://bilvavi.net/img/OS_2014.jpg" style="color: teal; text-decoration: none;" target=""><span style="font-family: inherit;">See announcement flyer »</span></a></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041795" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">6:00 PM</span></span> Yeshiva Ohr Yisroel</strong> 21 Rita Ave.</span></div><div style="color: darkred; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><u><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041796" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Tuesday May 27th - </span></span>Lakewood - Philly</u></strong></span></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041797" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">1:15 PM</span></span> Lakewood</strong> Beis Medresh Ohr haMeir 30 Fifth Street</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041798" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">8:00 PM</span></span> Philidelphia</strong> Politz Torah Academy <em style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">(Men and Women)</em> How to Feel Pleasure from Spirituality - with English translation - 9225 Old Bustleton Ave., Phily </span><a href="tel:215-969-5960" target="_blank" value="+12159695960"><span style="font-family: inherit;">215-969-5960</span></a></div><div style="color: darkred; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><u><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041799" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Wednesday</span></span> May 28th - Lakewood</u></strong></span></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Private Appointments</strong>, please text: Rabbi Zvi Cohen </span><a href="tel:732-966-7743" target="_blank" value="+17329667743"><span style="font-family: inherit;">732-966-7743</span></a></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041800" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><strong>10:00 PM</strong></span></span> Beis Medresh Toldos Yehudah127 Courtney Street<br />Inyan Mitzvah Talmud Torah</span><a href="http://bilvavi.net/img/LW_2014.jpg" style="color: teal; text-decoration: none;" target=""><span style="font-family: inherit;">See announcement flyer »</span></a></div><div style="color: darkred; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><u><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041801" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Thursday May 29th -</span></span>&nbsp;Passaic</u></strong></span></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041802" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><strong>12:00 PM</strong></span></span> Mrs. Aviva Aberman <em style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">(<u>Women Only</u>)</em><br />Kehillas Bais Yosef, 580 Broadway How A Woman can Prepare Herself for Shavous and Experience it Fully -&nbsp;with English translation</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041803" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">9:00 PM</span></span> Aberman Home</strong>, 325 Dwasline Road (Limited to 15 couples - $200 per couple) Raising Children with Emunah - with English translation<br />PLEASE RSVP- limited space left | Contact </span><a href="mailto:aviva@aberman.net" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">aviva@aberman.net</span></a><br /><a href="http://bilvavi.net/img/PAS_2014.jpg" style="color: teal; text-decoration: none;" target=""><span style="font-family: inherit;">See announcement flyer »</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Private appointments in Passaic </span><a href="mailto:aviva@aberman.net" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">aviva@aberman.net</span></a></div><div style="color: darkred; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><u>Shabbos May 30-31st - Lakewood Westgate</u></strong></span></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_143041804" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><strong>6:40 PM</strong></span></span> Shul at 49 Radin St.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px 0px 1.3em; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>For all private appointments in above locations<br />please text Rabbi Zvi Cohen </strong></span><a href="tel:732-966-7743" target="_blank" value="+17329667743"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>732-966-7743</strong></span></a></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Click here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or </span><a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe"><span style="font-family: inherit;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to "follow" me on Twitter.</span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606399196932045640.post-58919882834652227752014-05-13T13:07:00.004-04:002014-05-14T13:51:01.170-04:00Things I Learned Spending Shabbos with CEO of Nachal Chareidi Amuta<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UXZLz5ksBkw/U3I8R0aOzxI/AAAAAAAAFFw/gKJI-H0mLOc/s1600/rabbi+tzvi+klebanow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UXZLz5ksBkw/U3I8R0aOzxI/AAAAAAAAFFw/gKJI-H0mLOc/s1600/rabbi+tzvi+klebanow.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rabbi Tzvi Klebanow, CEO of Nahal Haredi, is on the right</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I learned a lot over <a href="http://dixieyid.blogspot.com/2014/05/director-of-nachal-charedi-in.html">the Shabbos I just spent with the CEO of Amutat Netzach Yehuda</a>, known colloquially as <a href="http://www.nahalharedi.org/index.php">Nachal Chareidi</a>, Rabbi Tzvi Klebanow. I also got to have, as a Shabbos seuda guest, one of the current chayalim in Netzach Yehuda, Nesanel Silverman, a bearded bochur from Brooklyn who joined Nachal Chareidi as a volunteer from America but has since made aliya. Here are a few of the things I learned about Nachal Chareidi:﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li>Nachal Chareidi was started in 1999 primarily through the initiative of a rebbe in yeshiva ketana, Rabbi Yitzchak&nbsp;Bar Chaim,&nbsp;who found that there was, at that time, no productive, satisfying&nbsp;life-path for the many bochurim who were not destined to learn full-time in kollel for decades.</li><li>One of the most important forces in the IDF helping Rabbi Bar Chaim and others set up a kosher environment in the army for chareidi boys was and is retired General Yehuda Dubduvani, who described his mission in life, after helping found Nachal Chareidi, as working to "mend the tear&nbsp;in the Jewish nation."</li><li>There are now about 1,400 boys in Nachal Chareidi, which is a three year program. The first two years involve training and combat and the third year is a program to allow boys to either prepare for their high school equivalency exam (bagrut) or study a profession.</li></ul></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/J01IOsLof8A?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><li>Nachal Chareidi is a real combat unit. They have primary responsibility for two major Arab population centers, Jenin and Tul Karem, and the surrounding towns. </li><li>One of&nbsp;the battalion's&nbsp;major functions is that when the Shin Bet provides them with detailed intelligence, they go into Arab cities and towns to extract specific individuals in the middle of the night, with the unit making approximately 2-3 arrests per night. They avoid doing this on Shabbos whenever practical.</li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXOtgdyy-Zk/U3I8MG_ZmhI/AAAAAAAAFFc/17PEEvLi8t8/s1600/IMG_8050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXOtgdyy-Zk/U3I8MG_ZmhI/AAAAAAAAFFc/17PEEvLi8t8/s1600/IMG_8050.jpg" height="320" width="268" /></a>They were instrumental in the <a href="http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/178776">major extraction of </a><a href="http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/178776">Hamza Abu Alheja in March</a>, which involved an armed conflict. You can see Netanyahu praising the unit starting at about the 0:30 mark in the above video.</div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;">The organization, Amutat Netzach Yehuda, provides approximately 14 rabbanim who constantly travel wherever members of the battalion are at any given time. They give shiurim, chizuk, and guidance on a constant basis. They also help the chayalim with any personal issues that come up, including working with families that may not appreciate their decision to join the IDF.&nbsp; The organization also provides&nbsp; other services, including &nbsp;housing for boys that can't return home for whatever reason, for Shabbos, and a keren chassanim, among other services.</div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;">The Amuta also acts as a watchdog, ensuring that the army fulfills all of its promises in terms of religious accommodations. Some of these are mehadrin kashrus, separation from women in all aspects of the program (even though 95% of the IDF instructors are women), and times for davening every day. The organization puts the "haredi" in "Nahal Haredi."</div></li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nccfALdDCBc/U3I8OMZnjWI/AAAAAAAAFFk/7-6r4geHmxs/s1600/charedi+soldier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nccfALdDCBc/U3I8OMZnjWI/AAAAAAAAFFk/7-6r4geHmxs/s1600/charedi+soldier.jpg" height="320" width="285" /></a>One cute story is how, about 1.5 years ago, the&nbsp;battalion was participating in a major maneuver lasting the entire night. The maneuver involved several other battalions as well (which are not chareidi). At about 4:30 in the morning, one of the commanders asked Nesanel, one of the Nachal Chareidi chayalim (who told us the story), what time sof zman krias Shma was. The commander wanted to know whether there would be time to do the next portion of the maneuver (which included mostly non-chareidi battalions) before sof zman krias Shma, or whether they should do it after davening!</div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;">To understand more about how&nbsp;effectively the unit accommodates the chareidi chayalim religiously, see <a href="http://www.mpaths.com/2014/02/whats-with-your-nachal-charedi-army-son.html">Akiva's post on the topic</a>, which he wrote when his son was about 2.5 years into the 3 year program. It sounds like&nbsp;it's pretty good but not perfect. He wrote: "armies...excel at killing people and breaking things – that is, after all, their primary purpose. At everything else they do it just barely well enough not to be totally messed up and completely dysfunctional. Barely."</div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Because I think this is something that people really want to know, I asked Rabbi Klebanow and Nesanel how many bochurim grow religiously, stay the same, or go down religiously; comparing how they came into the program and how they left three years later</strong>. Nesanel felt that 90% of the guys were stronger religiously when they left compared to when they came in, though many (just like outside the army) had ups and downs in the middle. Rabbi Klebanow felt that Nesanel's number was accurate among guys whose parents&nbsp;started off supportive of them,&nbsp;or became supportive at some point in the process.</div></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YUKCiuUmZis/U3JLSUE6UpI/AAAAAAAAFGM/9Dsqvh8hApY/s1600/0507-OPB-Ultra-Orthodox-woman_full_380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YUKCiuUmZis/U3JLSUE6UpI/AAAAAAAAFGM/9Dsqvh8hApY/s1600/0507-OPB-Ultra-Orthodox-woman_full_380.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>I'm excited about this program because it's one way, among many relatively new efforts, to get away from the unnatural policy of offering all boys exactly one choice about how they live their lives: long-term, full-time kollel learning. And if they're meant to do something else, for whatever reason, such a policy breaks people and is not the ratzon Hashem. One of those efforts is the relatively new&nbsp;<a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/Olive-Press/2014/0507/Ultra-Orthodox-woman-blazes-trail-for-vocational-education-for-Israel-s-haredim">Lomda Institute in Yerushalayim for vocational training</a> founded by Rivka and Yaakov Yerusalvsky (pictured on the right). Another is the <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4402032,00.html">Chareidi campus at the Ono Academy</a>, also in Yerushalayim. There is also the <a href="http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/170484">Shahar program</a>, allowing chareidim to learn a profession as part of the Israeli Air Force. And there are many others which are beginning to give people the options they need.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Hatzlacha raba to Rabbi Klebanow and the army's efforts at recruitment to the Nachal Chareidi program! May many more people join so that our people can avoid the inevitable conflict and toxic language that will inevitably result when the army attempts to draft people by force if the chareidi recruiting goals are not met!&nbsp;And may the program continue to&nbsp;benefit of the guys and may they grow in midos and ruchnius there, as this will ultimately strengthen them in Torah as well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><strong>Update 5/14/14</strong>: The below video in English, featuring information on Nachal Chareidi and an interview with R. Kelbanow was just put online today. Enjoy!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/29k0aYZbnvA?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?track=http%3A%2F%2Fdixieyid.blogspot.com">Click here</a> to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox or <a href="https://twitter.com/benbenabe">here</a> to "follow" me on Twitter.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Click here to get Dixie Yid in your e-mail Inbox: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=225916</div>DixieYid (يهودي جنوبي)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03713423988723533390noreply@blogger.com2